Wickes has reported its strongest quarter of 2026, with Retail revenue up 6.0% in the three months to 26 September. The retailer said customer growth is driving strong volume increases and that mild price inflation is starting to come through after a sustained period of deflation. Group revenue rose 4.5% to £439m, with like-for-like growth of 4.0%.
Retail picks up pace
Retail revenue was £331m, with like-for-like growth of 5.6%. That compares with 0.7% in Q2 and a 1.7% decline in Q1, and Wickes said Retail like-for-like sales are up 11.5% on a two-year basis. In its half-year results in September, Wickes had reported 2.4% price deflation in Retail; this update does not put a figure on the Q3 price movement.
Wickes reported continued market share growth, with notable strength in timber, flooring, roofing and garden. TradePro, its trade scheme, grew sales by 8%, with active members up 8% to 684,000. DIY sales were in mid-single-digit growth, which Wickes attributed to strong demand across core home improvement categories.
Bathrooms and Lifestyle Kitchens grow as bespoke kitchens slow down
Design & Installation revenue was £108m, up 0.3%, with like-for-like sales down 0.6%. Delivered sales were broadly flat. Wickes reported healthy revenue and volume growth in Lifestyle Kitchens and Bespoke Bathrooms, but said customers are being more considered over larger purchases in Bespoke Kitchens. The number of projects was flat, while ordered sales by value were lower than a year earlier.
Stores and outlook
Wickes now has 231 stores. It opened two in the quarter, in Saffron Walden and Colne, and refitted or refreshed three. It still plans five openings and 12 refits or refreshes for the full year, and bought the freehold of its Perry Barr store for £6.3m, excluding fees and stamp duty.
Wickes said it is on track to meet consensus expectations of around 10% growth in 2026 adjusted profit before tax. Chief executive David Wood described “a strong third quarter, with growth accelerating across Retail”. Q4 trading will be reported in late January 2027. The update made no comment on stock levels, sourcing or supply chains.
What does this tell suppliers?
· Demand has firmed. Q3 is a clear step up from the first half for both trade and DIY, although this is one retailer’s trading.
· Pricing may be turning. A move from deflation towards mild inflation matters for margin discussions, but Wickes has not said how widespread it is or by how much prices moved.
· Big-ticket caution persists. Smaller and mid-priced project categories are growing while higher-value kitchen purchases are being weighed more carefully.
· Category momentum is specific. Timber, flooring, roofing and garden were named as areas of strength.
