Wickes has reported a rise in first-half turnover and profit, helped by record membership of its TradePro trade loyalty scheme and steadier footfall across its estate. The DIY and trade retailer, which trades from 230 sites, is pressing on with plans to reach 300 stores as competition in the home improvement sector intensifies.
For the 26 weeks to 27 June 2026, Wickes’ turnover rose 2.1% to £865.3 million, while adjusted pre-tax profit climbed 1.1% to £27.6 million. Retail sales edged up 0.8% despite 2.4% deflation across its product range, and its design and installation arm, which fits kitchens and bathrooms on behalf of customers, grew 5.7%, its fifth straight quarter of growth.
The retailer completed eight store refits in the period, gained market share in decorative, gardening and timber categories, and says it remains on track for around 10% full-year profit growth.
TradePro membership reaches a record high
TradePro, Wickes’ loyalty scheme for tradespeople, ended the half with 671,000 active members, up from 615,000 a year earlier. The retailer described the wider half-year performance as volume-led across its channels, with customer numbers rather than prices doing most of the work behind the 0.8% retail sales increase, since like-for-like prices actually fell 2.4% over the period.
Store estate targeted to reach 300 sites
Wickes trades from 230 sites and has said it sees headroom to expand to 300 stores nationwide, even against competition from B&Q, Screwfix and Toolstation. Kate Thompson, head of property at Wickes, said in April that “detailed analysis” pointed to room for further sites in the market.
The retailer plans four to five store openings in the second half of 2026, alongside a further round of refits on top of the eight already completed, with the pace of new openings expected to pick up from 2028 as more sites are identified.
Good to know
Wickes’ UK sites are company-managed. The retailer publishes no franchise or licence route to entry, unlike some other home improvement and trade brands operating in the UK. That distinction, between an estate a company runs itself and one built through operators, is set out in what a franchise is.
Outlook points to further profit growth
Wickes said trading has firmed since the half-year end, with like-for-like sales moving to mid-single-digit growth in the third quarter after a 0.3% decline in the first half. The retailer said it remains on track to meet consensus expectations for full-year adjusted pre-tax profit of £54.6 million, which would mark growth of around 10% on the prior year.
Management pointed to continued momentum in trade and design and installation work as the basis for that outlook, alongside the planned store openings and refits already under way. Shares in Wickes Group moved higher on the day of the announcement. Trade and home improvement brands that do recruit operators publish their terms across the UK franchise directory.
