Wickes delivers “excellent” Do It For Me sales

Home improvement retailer Wickes has announced “excellent” Do It For Me (DIFM) sales growth with quarter 1 sales up 28.4% on a like-for-like basis.

30 May, 22

Home improvement retailer Wickes has announced “excellent” Do It For Me (DIFM) growth, with Quarter 1 2022 sales up 28.4% on a like-for-like basis.

Wickes employs first women installation apprentices

However, group like for like sales for the first 20 weeks are down 0.6% versus the prior year, with core sales 7.2%, while delivered DIFM sales were up 30.9%.

On a three-year basis, which companies with pre-COVID period, total group sales are 22.4% ahead.

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According to Wickes core sales reflected buoyant demand with trade customer books “remaining at record levels”. Its TradePro scheme has added over 40,000 customers in the year to trade.

The “excellent” sales growth of DIFM was attributed to the conversion of an elevated pipeline of orders at the year end and a “strong” Winter Sale.

In addition, Wickes reports installation lead times have returned closer to “more normal levels” and it expects to deliver sales ahead of 2019 in the full year.

CEO of Wickes David Wood commented: “I am delighted to report continued momentum, and a promising start to the year where we continue to take market share.

“This performance is testament to the strength of our uniquely balanced business – across Trade, DIY and DIFM – and it has been achieved against strong prior year comparatives.

“I am particularly proud of our long-term performance, with sales remaining significantly ahead of pre-lockdown levels.”

He continued: “”Our focus remains on providing our customers with the products and services they need at great value.

“Our commitment to exceptional value has proven particularly effective amongst our local trade customer bases, who continue to turn to us at a time when their own order books are at record levels.

“Our growth levers are delivery strong returns and we are excited about our plans to optiise our store estate with refits and new stores.

“Looking ahead, while we remain mindful of the uncertain macroeconomic environment, we continue to be confident of the opportunities available to Wickes within the large and growing home improvement market.”