Brief

Wickes reports 4.5% sales rise as mild price inflation returns

The home‑improvement retailer posted a 4.5% increase in group sales for the quarter to 26 September, citing stronger retail volumes and modest price rises.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 20 Oct 2026 09:15:05 GMT

Wickes announced on Tuesday that total group sales rose 4.5% to £439 million for the three months to 26 September, compared with the same period a year earlier. The company said the growth was driven by a rebound in retail sales and the start of mild price inflation.

What happened

The London‑listed retailer reported retail sales of £331 million, a 6% increase on the year‑ago quarter, offsetting slower growth in its design and installation division. Sales through the TradePro service, which links customers with tradespeople, rose 8%. The quarter also saw the opening of two new stores – one in Saffron Walden, Essex, and another in Colne, Lancashire – and three store refurbishments.

What the reports add

Both Independent and Standard conveyed the same figures for group and retail sales, the 4.5% overall growth and the 6% retail increase. Each outlet highlighted the company’s comment that “mild” price inflation is beginning to show after a period of easing prices. No outlet provided a different growth rate or contradictory statement.

What was said

Chief executive David Wood told the outlets, “We’ve delivered a strong third quarter, with growth accelerating across retail as more customers choose Wickes for their home improvement projects. Our continued market share gains demonstrate the strength of our value‑led proposition and our ability to outperform in a competitive market.”

How it came about

Wickes’ performance follows a broader trend of modest price pressures in the UK market, as noted in Felo’s earlier coverage of grocery price inflation rising to 2.5%. The retailer’s focus on timber, flooring, roofing and garden products, combined with the expansion of its TradePro platform, helped sustain volume growth despite the early signs of price increases.

Key facts

Group sales grew 4.5% to £439 million in the quarter to 26 September (independent.co.uk)
Retail sales rose 6% to £331 million in the same period (independent.co.uk)
TradePro sales increased 8% year‑on‑year (independent.co.uk)
Wickes opened new stores in Saffron Walden, Essex, and Colne, Lancashire (independent.co.uk)