HSS faces more losses amid rising costs and lower demand

The company said a slide in uptake from bigger customers took its toll on the business, widening pre-tax losses by £5.3 million to £13.8 million for the year to December 26 2015.

Shares plunged more than 6% after the firm said tough trading in the construction industry, lower prices from its rivals and rising depreciation costs dealt a blow to its performance.

But it said full-year revenues had outperformed the rest of the market, climbing 10% to £312 million in a sign that its cost-cutting strategy was working.

The update comes after a volatile year for the business in which it faced a string of profit warnings and a management shake-up.

Chief executive John Gill said it could expect a better financial performance this year as its efficiency drive bears fruit.

He said: “Profitability was lower than planned at the outset of the year. Following a slower than expected first half the board and I reviewed our strategic objectives and concluded that, with some modifications, they continue to be the right ones to generate shareholder return through market share growth and operational and capital efficiency.”

He added: “Together with the cost reduction programme, we expect these actions to improve our cash generation and financial performance.”

The firm said it had opened 50 new low cost branches in 2015 and was on course to launch a further 20 sites this year.

It said distribution costs had grown by 11% to £41.3 million, while administrative expenses rose by more than 18% to £144.2 million.