Wickes plans further expansion

The British DIY chain Wickes plans to open a further four or five new stores this year and refurbish twelve outlets. Seven to nine new store openings and 15 to 20 refurbishments are planned for 2027. The pace of expansion is set to increase further in 2028: in its half-year report, Wickes announced more than ten new stores and more than 20 refurbishments. At the mid-year point, the portfolio comprised 229 stores. In the long term, Wickes is planning a network of 300 stores.

The DIY retailer describes a smaller format as successful. With around 1,500 to 2,000 m², these stores have significantly less retail space than the average Wickes store, which stands at 2,700 m²; nevertheless, they stock a range of 9,000 to 10,000 items, which is almost as extensive as is usually the case at Wickes. The half-yearly report also notes that the average store EBITDA of GBP 800,000 is generated in these…