All Wickes articles
Home improvement chain Wickes was founded by Henry Dunn Wickes, in Michigan, United States, back in 1854. It was more than a century later, in 1972, that Wickes Corporation and British builders merchant, Sankeys, opened its first store in the United Kingdom. Wickes was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1987 but became embroiled in a scandal in June 1996, when it was discovered that the business had overstated its profits. The retailer turned itself around and was bought by Focus Do It All in September 2000. Less than five years later, it was sold to builders merchants Travis Perkins. Wickes’ demerger was completed in April 2021, when Wickes floated on the London Stock Exchange.
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Analysis
Big ticket’s big squeeze: how are home retailers navigating sluggish demand?
As DFS issues another profit warning and Wickes reports that demand for pricier purchases has been ’challenging’, how much more penny pinching can big-ticket retailers take?
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News
Wickes hails ‘robust’ year and new Solar Fast acquisition
Wickes has hailed a “robust” full-year performance, with profit before tax landing ahead of expectations. It also announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Solar Fast.
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News
Wickes makes store manager roles more flexible
Wickes has introduced flexible working options to all store manager roles across its estate.
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News
Wickes underlines profit guidance as it grows market share
Wickes has reported an increase in core market share as it remains “on track to meet full-year expectations”.
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Analysis
Kitchen nightmares: what do property market worries mean for DIY retailers?
What do the UK’s biggest home improvement retailers think about the trouble swirling in a market which closely mirrors the fortunes of their own?
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News
Wickes sales increase as growth strategy pays off
Wickes reported an increase in sales driven by the “strength of our balanced business model and outstanding customer service delivered by our colleagues”.
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News
Wickes rolls out share buyback programme
Wickes has launched a £25m share buyback programme to return “surplus cash” to shareholders after improved second-quarter trading.
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News
Wickes’ sales knocked by poor weather
Wickes has reported a slip in lIke-for-like sales as bad weather affected demand for seasonal lines.
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News
Exclusive: Wickes boss ‘curious’ about high street DIY store concept
Wickes chief executive David Wood says he is “curious” about the idea of high street DIY shops, a concept currently being trialled by competitors B&Q and Ikea.
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News
Wickes posts profit fall despite achieving ‘record sales’
Wickes has posted a drop in profits for the full financial year despite achieving “record sales”, which it attributes to its “market-leading value proposition”.
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Opinion
‘Does Tile Giant administration signal the end of the DIY boom?’
After a phenomenally busy period when everybody became Handy Andy or Andrea and painted the walls rather than climbed them during the depressing days of lockdowns, things are looking trickier as the consumer mentality shifts from DIY to done-IY.
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News
Wickes nets strong growth boosted by energy-saving buys
Wickes has posted strong sales growth across the golden quarter as demand for energy-saving products stabilised slowing DIY sales.
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News
Exclusive: Wickes to invest £3.5m in early pay rise for staff
Wickes is bringing forward its annual pay review to support staff during the cost-of-living crisis.
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News
Wickes embarks on new store opening programme
Wickes is set to begin a new store opening programme to address areas where it is underrepresented throughout the UK.
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News
Wickes warns of spiralling energy bill as sales rise
Wickes has warned its energy bill is set to soar by £7.5m next year as it flagged the impact of “uncertainties” surrounding operating cost inflation and consumer confidence.
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News
Wickes profits slip but full-year guidance remains unchanged
Wickes adjusted profits have slipped despite a marginal increase in sales, although the retailer’s full-year guidance remains unchanged.
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News
Wickes downgrades profit expectations as cost-of-living crisis bites
Wickes has blamed a softer outlook in some of its key markets and the uncertain macroeconomic outlook after it downgraded its profit expectations for the year
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News
Wickes hails ‘continued momentum’ despite dip in sales
Wickes has hailed a “promising start” to its financial year despite reporting a dip in sales.
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Data
Data: The 15 most improved retailers for gender pay equality 2022
Retail Week ranks the top-performing and most improved retailers for gender pay equality this year.
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News
Wickes’ profits surge in ‘year of excellent growth’
Home improvement retailer Wickes has reported rocketing full-year sales and profits and said it is well positioned for further growth.