Retailers Kingfisher, B&M and Next backed to benefit from subdued housing market Proactive uses images sourced from ShutterstockKingfisher PLC (LSE:KGF), B&M European Value Retail SA (LSE:BME) and Next PLC (LSE:NXT) were named as RBC Capital Markets' preferred UK retail plays as the broker predicted that the housing market would "hold up rather than surge". RBC said subdued housing activity and fragile consumer confidence would continue to weigh on home-related spending. Kingfisher, B&M and Dunelm Group PLC (LSE:DNLM) were seen as relatively underexposed to London and could therefore gain from this regional divergence. Next's prospects were less dependent on UK housing. Kingfisher trades at 11 times forecast 2027 earnings, B&M at 10 times and Next at 17 times.