Another 27 Wickes stores were modernised, bringing the total of revamped stores to 94 out of 371 by the end of the year. The difficult situation in the British DIY market is likely to result in both modernisations and new openings being scaled back, however.
The picture at Toolstation is completely different, with growth accelerating in the second half of 2017 and sales rising to over GBP 300 mio. The chain opened 40 new stores, bringing the total number to 295 at the end of the year. The 300th store opened in February 2018.