Wickes dedicated K&B stores performing strongly

Kitchen and bathroom sales at Wickes dropped by over 13% in the first half of the year, its latest results have confirmed.

In a report covering the six months to the end of June, Wickes owner Travis Perkins said the fall was because "consumers increasingly elected to pare back expenditure on 'big ticket' items". Overall retail in Wickes stores increased by 2% compared to the same period last year.

Compared to the standard Wickes stores, however, the dedicated kitchen and bathroom showrooms launched at the start of 2010 have been performing "strongly" Travis Perkins said and it continues a rollout programme to increase beyond the current 5.

The company also said it was starting to transfer some of the successful practices from those showroom to the main Wickes estate.

"We have also introduced dedicated sales managers into three of our regions, with early results indicating that kitchen and bathroom sales in those stores are holding up better than in the rest of the business," the report said.

Travis Perkins acquired 13 Focus stores following its administration in May for £8.4m. This, the company said, allows them to roll out smaller format Wickes stores in catchment areas that would not have supported a large depot.

Fit out of the first sites has started and the company anticipates they will all be open by the end of October. This means by the end of 2011 there will be 212 stores, an increase of 17 from the same time in 2010.

Source : KBB Review
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