Wickes sales edge higher in second quarter as Retail division picks up

Wickes Group PLC on Tuesday said sales growth accelerated in the second quarter of 2026, with a return to growth in its Retail business offsetting a slowdown in Design & Installation.

The Watford, England-based home improvement retailer said revenue rose 2.1% to £865 million in the half-year ended June 30, or by 0.6% like-for-like. In the second quarter, sales rose 2.3% to £483 million, with LFL growth of 0.9%, picking up from 0.3% in the first.

Within this, sales in the Retail business grew 0.8% to £640 million in the six month period, but fell 0.4% LFL. In the second quarter, LFL sales increased 0.6% after a 1.7% decline in the first three months of the year.

"Customer growth continues to drive strong overall volume increases in Retail, alongside a deflationary pricing environment," Wickes said.

Within Retail, TradePro continued to perform well, with sales up 6% year-on-year, and active members up by 9% year-on-year to 671,000.

Design & Installation revenue rose 5.7% to £226 million for the six months, with LFL growth of 3.6%. Growth here decelerated to 1.8% LFL in the second quarter, after 5.7% in the first quarter.

Lifestyle Kitchens and Bespoke Bathrooms continue to generate "impressive" growth, Wickes said, but with customers "being more considered" for larger purchases, Bespoke Kitchen ranges saw slower orders.

Wickes said it remains comfortable with consensus expectations for adjusted pretax profit of £55.4 million for 2026, which would be up from £49.9 million in 2025.

"Whilst the consumer environment remains uncertain, we expect modest market growth in the remainder of the year," the firm added.

Shares in Wickes fell 1.5% to 188.04 pence each in London on Tuesday.

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