Full-year results from Australian group Wesfarmers, the new owners of Homebase, show that despite “disruption” caused by the acquisition and its preparation for re-branding under the Bunnings umbrella, sales at the UK DIY chain grew by 7.5% in the first four months after the takeover.

The business, under a completely new board imported by Wesfarmers, led by Bunninngs diehard Peter Davis and including former Asda CEO Archie Norman, is being re-positioned with a harder more trade-orientated edge based on the Australian Bunnings model. Home furnishings and décor are probably on the eway out, with a greater emphasis on a wider range of core DIY and bigger stock holdings. Many see this as a head-on confrontation with B&Q and Wickes.

The new proposition will be very much flavoured by all-round low pricing – and Homebase’s Nectar Card connection has already been chopped to help clear the way. The website banner proclaims 'Always low prices'.

The first store to convert to Bunnings as a pilot scheme could open in October, with up to six more earmarked for 2017.

There are few clues yet about how the re-branding will impact on the chain's gardening offer. Suppliers approached by GTN suggest Wesfarmers does not want more trade gossip just yet.