Home improvement group Praktiker’s first-quarter losses widened from €20.8m (£18.7m) to €49.2m (£4.4m), and group sales dropped 8 per cent to €795.6m (£713.4m).

The retailer said the performance was “materially attributable to its international business” as currency depreciation hit. However, Praktiker expects “adequate, positive EBITA” for the full year.

Domestic sales in the early part of April are above last year, according to the retailer, which has “already largely compensated the sales losses incurred during the first three months”.