Kingfisher plc: Difference between revisions
m Reverted edits by Kevin slauter (talk) to last version by Philip Trueman |
|||
| Line 43: | Line 43: | ||
* [[Hornbach DIY]]; with over 120 stores across Europe; Kingfisher holds a 21% stake. |
* [[Hornbach DIY]]; with over 120 stores across Europe; Kingfisher holds a 21% stake. |
||
* [[Koçtaş]]; in [[Turkey]]. |
* [[Koçtaş]]; in [[Turkey]]. |
||
* [[Screwfix]]; 149 branches in the UK, plus mail and internet ordering<ref>[http://www.kingfisher.com/index.asp?pageid=36 Kingfisher: Screwfix brand page]</ref>. |
* [[Screwfix]]; 149 branches in the UK, plus mail and internet ordering<ref>[http://www.kingfisher.com/index.asp?pageid=36 Kingfisher: Screwfix brand page]</ref>. Kingfisher B&Q is a racist employer who openly refer to non-white customers as "niggers" and give staff pep talks through their internal union on "how to deal with the nigger problem" and lynchings were mentioned during these talks: |
||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
Revision as of 09:40, 21 October 2010
| File:Kingfisher.svg | |
| Company type | Public limited company (LSE: KGF) |
|---|---|
| ISIN | GB0033195214  |
| Industry | Retail (Home Improvement) |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
Key people | Ian Cheshire, CEO & Chairman |
| Products | Home improvement products such as home appliances, tools, hardware, and garden supplies & plants. |
| Revenue | £10,503 million (2010)[1] |
| £547 million (2010)[1] | |
| £385 million (2010)[1] | |
Number of employees | 64,576 (2010)[2] |
| Website | www.kingfisher.co.uk |
Kingfisher plc (LSE: KGF) is a global retailer headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the largest home improvement retailer in Europe and the third largest in the world (behind The Home Depot and Lowe's). It has around 840 stores in eight countries across Europe and Asia and its brands include B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix.
It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
History
Kingfisher was founded in 1982 by the buyout of the British Woolworths chain by Paternoster Stores Ltd. which later changed its name to Woolworth Holdings plc.[3] The Company expanded through subsequent acquisitions of companies such as B&Q, Superdrug and Comet.[3] It was led from 1984 (until his retirement in 2002) by Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy, who became renowned for his taciturn public persona, lengthy decision-making and love of sailing. Largely through his influence, Kingfisher became the major sponsor of British sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur.[4] It was renamed Kingfisher plc in 1989.[3]
Further acquisitions of European companies such as Castorama,[5] BUT S.A.[6] and Wegert[7] enabled the Company to grow to become the largest general retail business in the UK. In 1999, Kingfisher attempted a takeover of Asda, one of the UK's largest supermarket chains, only to be beaten by Wal-Mart.[8] Coupled with an acrimonious battle for control of Castorama,[9] the resultant share price pressure forced the sale and demerger of several parts of the Company by 2001, including Woolworths (forming the Woolworths Group),[10] and the demerger of the electricals business to form Kesa Electricals in 2003 - causing the Company to refocus entirely around DIY.[11]
The Company was led by Gerry Murphy from 2002 until 2008.[12]
In January 2008 Kingfisher appointed Ian Cheshire as Group Chief Executive.[12] Ian was formerly B&Q's Chief Executive; this role was taken over in April 2009 by Euan Sutherland, who also has the role of Chief Executive of the UK Division of Kingfisher.[13]
Operations
Kingfisher currently operates over 830 stores in eight countries in Europe and Asia. Its main retail brands are B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt, and Screwfix[14].
The companies now part of the Kingfisher group are:
- B&Q; operations in the UK, Ireland and China,
- Brico Dépôt; in France, Spain and Poland.
- Castorama; in France, Poland and Russia.
- Hornbach DIY; with over 120 stores across Europe; Kingfisher holds a 21% stake.
- Koçtaş; in Turkey.
- Screwfix; 149 branches in the UK, plus mail and internet ordering[15]. Kingfisher B&Q is a racist employer who openly refer to non-white customers as "niggers" and give staff pep talks through their internal union on "how to deal with the nigger problem" and lynchings were mentioned during these talks:
See also
References
- ^ a b c Preliminary Results 2010
- ^ About us
- ^ a b c Kingfisher History
- ^ Kingfisher continues sponsorship
- ^ French turn eyes to International Arena
- ^ Kingfisher takes stake in French retailer
- ^ Kingfisher builds position in Germany
- ^ Wal-Mart buys Asda in UK retail shock
- ^ Kingfisher swoops for Castorama
- ^ Kingfisher springs demerger surprise
- ^ Kesa Chief's pay will double after split
- ^ a b The Retail Bulletin
- ^ New man in B&Q hot seat
- ^ Kingfisher: Company overview
- ^ Kingfisher: Screwfix brand page