Wickes like-for-likes have plummeted 6.8% over the past eight weeks.

Current trading has notably worsened for the retailer who reported that like-for-likes had dipped 1.6% in its 47 weeks to November 26.

The retailer, which is owned by building firm Travis Perkins, said the drop was down to plunging kitchen and bathroom sales which nose-dived 13.3%.

Wickes said the decline in the category was through “continued poor and weakening consumer confidence for major purchases”.

Total sales nudged up 0.6% over the period.