Wickes has reported that it expects full-year profits to be at the top end of expectations as kitchen and bathroom orders boom.

The DIY retailer, which recently completed its demerger with parent company Travis Perkins, recorded sales were up 45.7% year-on-year on a like-for-like basis, for the 21 weeks to May 22.

On a two-year basis, like-for-like growth was also up 23.1% against an equivalent period in 2019.

Wickes said that trading was particularly strong throughout April as both local trade customers and DIYers started new projects, while sales in May settled to normal levels.

The reopening of its “do it for me” showrooms on April 12 led to a surge in orders for kitchens and bathrooms, Wickes said, with expectations that its order pipeline will deliver strong like-for-like growth in the second half of the financial year.

Wickes has therefore claimed that its profit guidance will likely be in line with the top half of the range of analyst expectations, between £55m and £74m.

Chief executive David Wood said:” At Wickes, we are here to help the nation feel house proud, and I am delighted with how the entire business has responded to the continued strong demand for our products and services. 

“Availability constraints and inflationary pressures across some raw materials have been well-flagged, but we have strong supplier relationships and are working closely with them to ensure we continue to provide customers with the products they need at the best possible value.”

There have been reported shortages across the home and DIY sector - last month Kingfisher warned of supply chain issues caused by the Suez Canal blockage and a global shortage of shipping containers.

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