Wickes first-quarter sales rise as investment in range drives momentum

Travis Perkins said like-for-like sales in its consumer division, which contains Wickes, Toolstation and Tile Giant, increased 7.3% in the 14 weeks ending April 2.

Total sales in its consumer arm advanced 10.8% during the period.

Travis Perkins said the first-quarter figures had been adjusted to compare the first 14 weeks of 2016 against the comparable period including Easter in 2015.

It lauded “positive momentum” of its three retail businesses and said sales growth was “particularly pleasing” given the earlier Easter weekend.

Wickes, which accounts for the majority of revenues in Travis Perkins’ consumer division, said sales were driven by investments in price, enhancing the product range and improving customer service.

Although it did not break down the individual performance of each of the three retailers, Travis Perkins highlighted “good” like-for-like growth at Toolstation and Tile Giant, both of which grew market share during the quarter.

Group sales, including Travis Perkins’ general merchanting, plumbing and heating and contracts businesses, rose 4.2% on a like-for-like basis. Total group revenues were up 5% across the quarter.

Travis Perkins boss John Carter said: “All of our businesses demonstrated good growth in the first quarter of 2016.

“The consumer division maintained the strong momentum established in 2015, with excellent like-for-like growth.

“Our three priorities remain unchanged – the modernisation of Travis Perkins, the transformation of Wickes and improving the performance of the restructured plumbing and heating division.”