Wickes has posted a sharp rise in third-quarter retail sales, although shoppers are continuing to think twice about splashing out on expensive kitchens.
It reported a 4.5 per cent increase in group revenue to £439m for the 13 weeks to 26 September, with like-for-like sales climbing four per cent .
Its retail division was the standout performer, with sales jumping six per cent to £331m, compared with growth of just 1.8 per cent in the previous quarter. Like-for-like retail sales climbed 5.6 per cent , driven by stronger customer numbers and higher volumes.
Wickes said it continued to take market share, with particularly strong demand for timber, flooring, roofing and gardening products.
Its TradePro business also delivered another strong quarter, with sales rising eight per cent year on year and active membership increasing eight per cent to 684,000.
DIY sales grew by a mid-single-digit percentage, suggesting shoppers are becoming more willing to spend on smaller home improvement projects despite continued pressure on household budgets.
However, the picture was less encouraging for its Design & Installation business, where revenue edged up just 0.3 per cent to £108m and like-for-like sales slipped 0.6 per cent .
While its more affordable Lifestyle Kitchens and Bespoke Bathrooms ranges continued to perform well, customers remained cautious about committing to pricier bespoke kitchen projects.
Wickes said the number of design and installation projects was broadly flat, but the total value of new orders fell compared with the same period last year.
Despite the slowdown in larger purchases, the retailer remains on track to meet full-year profit expectations, with analysts forecasting adjusted pre-tax profit of £54.7m, representing growth of around 10 per cent .
Wickes chief executive David Wood said: “We’ve delivered a strong third quarter, with growth accelerating across Retail as more customers choose Wickes for their home improvement projects.”
He added that the retailer’s continued market share gains showed it was outperforming a competitive market, with the business on course to meet full-year profit expectations.
The latest figures mark a significant improvement on Wickes’ first-half performance.
As Retail Gazette reported in September, the retailer posted a 2.1 per cent rise in first-half revenue to £865.3m, while adjusted pre-tax profit edged up 1.1 per cent to £27.6m.
Retail revenue increased just 0.8 per cent during the period, weighed down by falling prices and weaker trading earlier in the year
Wickes is also pressing ahead with its store investment programme, having opened two new shops in Saffron Walden and Colne during the quarter, alongside three store refits and refreshes.
It has acquired the freehold of its Perry Barr store for £6.3m to protect the site from potential redevelopment.
The retailer, which operates 231 stores across the UK, plans to open five new locations and refit or refresh 12 stores during 2026, supporting its longer-term ambition to grow its estate to 300 shops.
For the first nine months of the year, group revenue increased 2.9 per cent to £1.3bn, with like-for-like sales up 1.8 per cent .
Wickes expects to publish its fourth-quarter trading update in late January 2027.
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