Kingfisher reports strong Q2

LONDON — Kingfisher PLC, which owns B&Q and Castorama, reported a surge in sales in recent weeks. Sales in the British Isles were up 5.5%, while this year’s first quarter improved by just 1.6% over last year. French stores saw a 1.3% rise. The company announced in March that it would close 60 underperforming B&Q stores.