The start of 2024 has seen a continuation of trends from the fourth quarter last year and those highlighted at our recent full year results, with volume growth in Retail and a decline in Design & Installation. Overall Group LFL sales for the first 16 weeks were down by 4.2% compared to the same period last year, with both reporting periods including Easter trading.
Retail sales have demonstrated the continued appeal of Wickes’ great value and service-led proposition. LFL sales were up 0.6% in the period, with a fourth consecutive quarter of positive LFL growth. Market share has also continued to grow. With selling prices in mild deflation, the growth in Retail sales has been driven by volume with an increased number of transactions. TradePro sales continue to perform strongly, up 12% in the period, reflecting healthy order books for local trade professionals and continued growth in the customer base, which grew by a further 57,000 members. DIY sales remain in moderate decline overall; customers continue to be enthusiastic about home improvement but are focusing on smaller projects. Building on this trend we have shown a strong performance in our decorative categories with interior paint sales up 13% year-on-year.
Design & Installation delivered sales declined by 18.2%, reflecting a particularly strong performance in the comparative period for the prior year, when we were still benefiting from an elevated order book. Ordered sales so far in 2024 have been in single-digit year-on-year decline, with strong conversion rates partially offsetting a double digit decline in new leads, as the market for larger ticket purchases remains challenging.
Our increased focus on our lower-priced Wickes Lifestyle Kitchens range continues to deliver strong results with sales in this range up 25% versus the same period last year.
We continue to focus on tight cost management throughout the business. In addition to planned productivity initiatives, we will deliver cost savings in Design & Installation as a result of, and to help offset, the lower sales volumes currently being experienced.
Investment in our strategic growth levers continues, with our first new store of the year opening in Long Eaton in March and with two refits completed in Ashford and Burgess Hill.
Whilst the trading environment remains uncertain, given the solid start to the year in Retail and our continued focus on costs, the overall outlook for adjusted profit before tax for 2024 remains unchanged.
We will hold an investor insight event in London on 16 May, focused on TradePro, and will make presentation materials available on our website after the event.
David Wood, chief executive of Wickes, commented: “In the first few weeks of 2024 we have been encouraged that DIYers and local trade professionals continue to turn to Wickes as a brand they trust for great value and service and as a result we have once again grown market share. Although the market for larger ticket items remains subdued, we have seen strong sales growth in our Wickes Lifestyle Kitchens, which match customer demand for quality with great value.
“While the external environment remains uncertain, our overall profit expectations for the full year remain unchanged. Looking ahead, we continue to invest for future growth with our programme of store refits, new store openings and investment in both technology and Solar Fast, building an even stronger Wickes for the future.”
