Wickes like-for-likes rise 0.6% in third quarter

Turnover increased 2.1% in the 39 weeks to October 2, while like-for-likes per trading day slipped 0.1%, with core products down by 2.8%.

Showroom sales jumped 11.9 % in the 39 week period.

The retailer said it noticed “relatively weaker trends in big ticket purchases” in the 13 week period.

While gross margins for the third quarter are “ahead of last year”, Wickes said margins have been eroded in the period due to “the recent response by competitors to the reduction in their market shares”, as rivals such as B&Q and Homebase upped their promotional stance in the period.

Parent Travis Perkins said the group performance was “in line with expectations”.