Wickes increases 2022 sales by 3.5 per cent compared with 2021

The UK DIY chain Wickes ended 2022 with like-for-like sales growth of 3.5 per cent. While sales in the core segment fell by 2.0 per cent, the do-it-for-me segment grew by 26.0 per cent.

In the fourth quarter, Wickes' total like-for-like revenue grew by 11.5 per cent against an omicron-affected comparative, according to a trading update.

This quarterly comparison was particularly significant for the DIFM increase of 34.5 per cent, "as we worked through the elevated order book," the statement said. But the core segment was also up by 5.2 per cent.

Compared with 2019, Wickes' full-year 2022 revenue growth was 22.8 per cent. The core segment recorded growth of 33.0 per cent. In contrast, sales in the DIFM segment were 1.3 per cent lower than in 2019.

During the fourth quarter, Wickes completed four store refits, taking the total to eleven for the year. These were in addition to the downsize and refit of the Maidstone store. A new store opened in Bolton in October, and there are plans for further openings in 2023.