Originally known as Block & Quayle, the brand name was soon shortened to B&Q. It is a British multinational DIY and home improvement retailer headquartered in Eastleigh, UK, founded in 1969 by Richard Block & David Quayle. It has since expanded worldwide, with stores in mainland China, Ireland and Taiwan, and is the largest DIY retail chain in China and the UK. The first store opened in the Southampton suburb of Portswood, and grew rapidly through a combination of mergers, acquisitions and expansions. Further:

For our financial year ending 2 February 2013 our retail sales were £3.7 billion with profit of £187 million.

B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, an international home improvement company which operates nearly 1,200 stores in 10 countries in Europe. Its main brands are B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix. Kingfisher also operates the Koçtaş joint venture in Turkey. For further information go to www.kingfisher.com.

Our eco flagship store is located in New Malden and boasts innovative developments such as 108 underground bore holes, 100 metres deep which heat and cool the store with energy from the earth, rainwater harvesting, solar thermal water heating panels and a green roof planted with sedum.

B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, an international home improvement company which operates nearly 1,200 stores in 10 countries in Europe. Its main brands are B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix. Kingfisher also operates the Koçtaş joint venture in Turkey.