Image source: © 2025 Krish Capital Pty. Ltd.

Highlights

  • Revenue up 5.6% year-on-year to £847.9m, with Retail revenue rising 6.8%.

  • Adjusted profit before tax increased 16.7% to £27.3m, with statutory PBT at £24.2m.

  • TradePro membership rose to 615,000, supporting record market share gains.

Wickes Group Plc (LSE:WIX) has published its interim results for the 26 weeks to 28 June 2025. The company reported higher revenue, profit growth, and market share gains across both Retail and Design & Installation (D&I), while maintaining its expectations for the full year.

Financial Performance

Total revenue for the half year increased 5.6% to £847.9m, compared with £803.2m in H1 2024. Retail delivered volume-led growth, with revenue up 6.8%, while D&I returned to like-for-like growth in the second quarter, supported by self-help measures.

Adjusted profit before tax rose 16.7% to £27.3m, up from £23.4m last year, reflecting revenue gains, operational leverage, and productivity savings. Statutory profit before tax was £24.2m, compared with £22.9m in the prior period.

The group reported a net cash position of £158.0m (H1 2024: £152.4m), after returning £24.8m to shareholders. The interim dividend was maintained at 3.6p per share. The company’s £20m share buyback programme remains in progress.

Operational and Strategic Developments

In Retail, growth was supported by a 10% increase in TradePro sales, with active membership expanding to 615,000 from 541,000 in the same period last year. DIY sales also recorded mid-single digit growth. Wickes achieved record retail market share, with particular gains in timber, garden maintenance, and decorating.

The D&I segment benefited from higher project volumes, supported by measures introduced to improve the customer experience. Digital investments continued to underpin productivity and growth.

The company opened one new store at a former Homebase site and completed four refits or refreshes during the half year. Plans remain on track for 5–7 new stores and 10–15 refits or refreshes during 2025. Wickes was also named the UK’s top retailer in the Financial Times Europe’s Best Employers 2025.

Current Trading and Outlook

Trading in the third quarter has so far been in line with expectations. The company noted that higher people costs and the impact of new stores will be more visible in the second half of the year. In addition, investment in technology through SaaS projects is expected to increase full-year P&L costs by approximately £10m.

Despite these cost pressures, Wickes stated that its first-half performance and productivity programme support the Board’s confidence in achieving current market expectations for adjusted profit before tax in 2025.

The group plans to release its Q3 trading update in late October. An investor insight event, focused on the D&I business, is scheduled for 14 October 2025.