Home improvement retailer Wickes has increased its market share to record levels during the first half of 2025, with particular growth in timber, garden maintenance and decorating, the company reports.
For the six months ending 28 June 2025, overall group revenue increased by 5.6% year-on-year to £847.9m. Within retail, sales grew by 6.8% to £634.4m.
The performance of its TradePro business is also strong, with sales up 10% year-on-year and active TradePro members (those who have shopped with Wickes in the last 12 months) increasing by 14% year-on-year to 615,000.
DIY sales boosted by warm weather
DIY sales witnessed mid-single digit growth, with volumes driven by an increase in customer transactions. Wickes said that Q2 trading was further assisted by the warm spring weather and the timing of Easter but warned that the prior year comparative gets tougher in the second half.
Design and installation growth has also continued, with the third consecutive quarter of ordered sales growth in Q2 2025 and the first quarter of positive LFL delivered sales growth since Q2 2023. This follows actions taken in the second half of 2024 to improve its customer offer.
New stores
In 2025, 5-7 new home improvement stores are expected to open, four of which are former Homebase stores. The first of these opened in Leeds Moor Allerton in June and the second in Bury St Edmunds in July. A refit programme also continues, with one store refitted in the first half and a further three refreshed. Around 82% of the store estate is now in the new format.
Technology investment
The company is ramping up investment in technology this year to enhance the customer experience further and to support productivity initiatives. Wickes said that the actions it has taken to invest in its growth levers and digital initiatives have set the company up well for a successful 2025 despite significant cost headwinds seen across the retail sector.
David Wood, chief executive of Wickes, said: “In the first half of the year we have gone from strength to strength, with increased sales and record market share.”
“Retail sales have grown again, driven by volumes, as more people shop with us, both in-store and online. In Design & Installation, the actions we took to improve the customer proposition are driving project order volumes and as a result we have returned to sales growth.”
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