Wickes shares rose on Tuesday after the home improvement retailer reported accelerating sales growth in the third quarter and reaffirmed its full-year profit expectations.

Revenue increased 4.5% to £439m in the 13 weeks to 26 September, driven by a stronger performance in retail, where sales rose 6% to £331m as customer numbers and volumes increased. The group said it continued to gain market share across timber, flooring, roofing and garden products, with like-for-like retail sales up 11.5% over two years.

TradePro sales rose 8% year on year, with active members increasing by the same proportion to 684,000. DIY sales also recorded mid-single-digit growth, supported by demand across core home improvement categories.

However, performance in design and installation was more subdued, with delivered sales broadly flat. While Lifestyle Kitchens and Bespoke Bathrooms continued to achieve revenue and volume growth, customers were more cautious about larger purchases, particularly bespoke kitchens. The number of projects remained flat, while the value of orders fell compared with the previous year.

Wickes opened two new stores in Saffron Walden and Colne during the quarter and refreshed or refitted three others. It plans to open five new stores and upgrade 12 existing sites during 2026. The group also acquired the freehold of its Perry Barr store for £6.3m, securing the future of a profitable site threatened by redevelopment.

Chief executive David Wood said: “We’ve delivered a strong third quarter, with growth accelerating across Retail as more customers choose Wickes for their home improvement projects. Our continued market share gains demonstrate the strength of our value-led proposition and our ability to outperform in a competitive market.”

The retailer remains on track to meet consensus forecasts for 2026 adjusted pre-tax profit, which imply growth of around 10%, supported by sales momentum and productivity improvements.

Wickes shares rose 4.9% to 226p in early trading.

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