Howden Joinery Group plc (HWDN), the UK's largest trade kitchen and joinery supplier, has published a trading update covering Periods 7 to 11 from 14 June to 31 October 2026, reporting group reported sales growth of 6.8% over the period and 5.1% year-to-date. The company confirmed it remains on track with its 2026 outlook and expects to deliver group underlying profit before tax in line with current market expectations, with the published consensus average standing at £361 million. The update also covers the post-acquisition performance of DIY Kitchens, which Howdens acquired on 23 June 2026, and ongoing international expansion across its European depot network.

Key Points

  • Howden Joinery Group plc (HWDN) — UK's largest trade kitchen and joinery supplier, operating 893 UK depots and 82 depots across France, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland
  • Group reported sales rose 6.8% in Periods 7 to 11 and 5.1% year-to-date versus 2025, with international sales up 6.2% in local currency over the same period
  • 2026 full-year underlying profit before tax consensus average is £361 million; the company states it expects to deliver in line with this figure
  • Investors will be watching whether DIY Kitchens continues to perform to expectations and whether planned French depot closures continue to weigh on reported international growth

UK Sales Rise 6.8% in Periods 7–11, with Record TradeFest® Performance Cited

UK reported sales increased by 6.8% in Periods 7 to 11 and by 5.0% year-to-date, with the company noting these results were achieved against challenging macro-economic conditions. On a pro-forma basis — which incorporates DIY Kitchens sales in both the current and prior-year comparison period — UK growth was 1.8% in Periods 7 to 11 and 2.4% year-to-date. The company highlighted record sales during its TradeFest® peak trading period, attributing performance to its differentiated business model, a significant proportion of new kitchen and joinery product, and consistently high stock availability across its network of 893 UK depots.

DIY Kitchens Acquisition Performs In Line with Expectations Following June 2026 Deal

Howdens acquired DIY Kitchens on 23 June 2026, and the business is reported within the UK segment from that date. The company describes DIY Kitchens as a vertically integrated, online-only business serving primarily non-trade end users seeking to self-manage kitchen purchases — a model operationally distinct from Howdens' trade-only, relationship-based service. The announcement states DIY Kitchens has performed well and as expected post-acquisition, and that its differentiated proposition extends Howdens' addressable customer base in the UK. The acquisition price was not disclosed in the announcement.

International Depots Grow 10.2% Pro-Forma as French Network Rationalisation Continues

International sales in local currency rose 6.2% in Periods 7 to 11, though the company notes that excluding the impact of planned French depot closures, pro-forma international growth was 10.2% over the same period and 10.3% year-to-date. Howdens closed two French depots in 2025 and six in 2026 as part of a strategic optimisation programme. The international network spans France, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland, comprising 82 depots in total. The announcement states that customer appreciation of the company's in-stock, trade-only model continued to increase across these markets during the period.

Howdens Reaffirms Full-Year 2026 Profit Guidance at £361 Million Consensus Average

Howdens confirmed it remains on track with its outlook for 2026, expecting group underlying profit before tax in line with current market expectations. The company publishes its consensus figure on its website, with the average currently standing at £361 million. Chief Executive Andrew Livingston highlighted that productivity and efficiency programmes are supporting competitive pricing across kitchen and joinery categories and helping to mitigate inflationary pressures. In 2025, the group reported revenues of £2.4 billion and profit before tax of £344.9 million, providing a comparative baseline against which the 2026 consensus target represents meaningful progression.