Builders merchanting and DIY group Grafton has said its group revenue for the ten months to the end of October rose by 12.8% to £2.11 billion.
In a trading update, Grafton also said that its operating profit was in line with expectations.
Grafton said the positive momentum experienced by its Irish Merchanting business in the first half of the year continued in the period up to October on the back of a healthy rate of growth in the economy.
It noted that the increase in revenue was driven by growth in the core RMI market, new infrastructure projects, increased spending on commercial properties and a gradual recovery in house building, albeit from a very low base.
It also said its UK Merchanting's like-for-like revenues increased "modestly" in the four months to the end of October.
It said the traditional merchanting business, which trades mainly under the Buildbase and Plumbase brands, continued to experience pricing pressures in a competitive trading environment.
Merchanting makes up 92% of Grafton's group revenue, while retailing makes up 6% and manufacturing makes up the remaining 2%.
Grafton said its Woodie's DIY chain continued to generate like for like growth in Ireland due to rising employment and disposable incomes, as well as a positive response from customers to the refocusing of the business in recent years.
