DGAP-News

Hornbach Holding AG & Co. KGaA: Hornbach with dynamic sales growth - Seite 2

consumer survey, published just a few days ago, Hornbach was ranked first
for overall satisfaction in the DIY and home improvement store sector,
achieving an overall grade of 2.20. The company also came first in 19 more
of the 46 other categories. "Consumers not only confirmed our price
leadership, they also certified that we offer the most competent advice,
best product quality, and greatest product selection and variety. This
impressive statement of confidence is both an honor for us and a motivation
for us to press ahead with our strategy", added Albrecht Hornbach.

Substantial boost in sales in international business

The greatest momentum at Hornbach Baumarkt AG in the first half was still
generated by the Other European countries region, in which this subgroup's
retail activities in eight countries outside Germany are pooled. Their
cumulative share of subgroup sales rose from 42.3% to 44.6%. On a like-for-
like basis and net of currency items, sales here grew by 7.7% in the second
quarter and by 7.1% in the first half.

Hornbach has successfully established itself as a project partner to DIY
customers in its international network. These days, that no longer applies
only to the stationary DIY stores with garden centers, but increasingly to
the company's e-commerce activities as well. Professional customers and DIY
enthusiasts in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic,
and Luxembourg, are now also turning to Hornbach's online store to make
their purchases.

Hornbach Baustoff Union benefits from increased housing construction demand

The Hornbach Baustoff Union GmbH (HBU) subgroup, which focuses on the needs
of professional customers in its main target groups in the main
construction and subconstruction trades, as well as on private construction
clients, also noticeably boosted its sales performance in the second
quarter of 2016/2017. Net sales here grew by 4.1% to Euro 66.5 million
(2015/2016: Euro 63.9 million). Cumulatively for the first six months, HBU
increased its consolidated sales by 2.6% to Euro 123.3 million (2015/2016:
Euro 120.2 million). With growth of 6.9% to Euro 5.8 million, half-year
operating earnings (EBIT) at the subgroup rose disproportionately compared
with sales (2015/2016: Euro 5.4 million). HBU reported substantial sales
growth in its "Construction" and "Civil Engineering" product ranges, with
this being driven in particular by higher demand in the housing
construction industry. Having opened a further outlet in the second