Wickes, Toolstation and Tile Giant increase by eight per cent

The consumer division of Travis Perkins, with the distribution lines Wickes, Toolstation and Tile Giant in Great Britain, achieved a turnover of GBP 1.386 bn last year. According to the trading group, like-for-like growth was 5.3 per cent. The renewed growth increase in the fourth quarter was predominantly driven by strong kitchen and bathroom sales in Wickes and continued like-for-like growth and network expansion in Toolstation, according to the annual report.
Wickes undertook significant range review activity in 2015. The majority of range changes have now been completed, with 36 ranges reviewed, including 'take-away' kitchens, adhesives and sealants, paint, tiles, flooring and timber. Further reviews are planned, across 32 smaller or simpler categories in 2016, including bricks and blocks, take-away bathrooms and garden maintenance. Wickes now has eight stores operating in the new format, including four refurbishments, and four new stores, the company reported. All in all, Wickes had opened 8 new stores and closed four by the year end, leaving a balance of 236 stores. Toolstation opened 40 new stores, and now has a total of 224 stores.
The Wickes online offer was enhanced, with the launch of a one-hour click and collect service. Online transactions now make up over eight per cent of Wickes sales, with half of the growth in online transactions in 2015 coming through click and collect.