UK home improvement retailer Wickes Group reported total revenue of £865.3m ($1.16bn) for the first half to 27 June 2026, marking a 2.1% year-on-year (YoY) increase.
The company said in its interim first-half results that it remained on track to meet market forecasts for adjusted profit before tax (PBT) for the full year.
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Retail revenue increased 0.8% to £639.8m despite 2.4% deflation during the period, which the company said was driven by stronger volume growth.
Design and installation revenue rose 5.7% to £225.5m.
Adjusted PBT was £27.6m, up 1.1% YoY, as productivity measures partly offset cost inflation.
Statutory PBT came in at £24.6m, compared with £24.2m a year earlier, while adjusted profit after tax fell to £20.7m from £22.9m.
Statutory operating profit increased 1.1% to £37.4m. Basic earnings per share (EPS) declined 4.4% to 8.6p from 9p.
Wickes said this reflected a lower effective tax rate in the first half of 2025, mainly due to revised estimates on capital allowance claims relating to historical capital expenditure and prior-year adjustments.
Adjusted basic EPS decreased 4% to 9.6p.
TradePro, the group’s trade loyalty programme, posted sales growth of 5%, while active membership increased to 671,000 from 615,000 a year earlier.
The retailer completed eight store refits in the period and said its pipeline of new store openings was expanding, with four to five openings planned for the second half as it works towards a target of 300 stores.
On current trading, Wickes said the third quarter (Q3) had shown a significantly improved trend, with retail like-for-like (LFL) revenue growth accelerating to mid-single digits.
The company said it expected to benefit in the second half from a productivity plan and lower business rates and confirmed that it remained on track to meet consensus expectations of approximately 10% growth in adjusted PBT for 2026.
A Q3 trading update is scheduled for late October.
Wickes CEO David Wood said: “Our growth momentum through the first half has continued building into Q3, with a significant step-up to mid-single-digit LFL revenue growth in retail.
“Looking ahead, our digital investments are improving the customer experience and operational efficiencies, and we remain confident in our strategy, continuing to invest for growth, including our ambition to reach 300 stores, to drive sustainable long-term value for shareholders.”
