Travis Perkins’ retail division, which largely comprises DIY chain Wickes, posted a like-for-like sales fall of 5.8% for the 11 months to the end of November.

Wickes, along with other DIY retailers, suffered in the key Easter period when the UK recorded the wettest April in 100 years.

Total sales at Wickes, which has a strong emphasis on the trade market, surged 13.3% in the 11-month period. The figure includes Toolstation, which was consolidated from January 3.

Travis Perkins said the group remains “on target to meet consensus earnings per share and on track to achieve our net debt target of approximately £450m”.