In a brief trading update, Travis Perkins has revealed that its overall like-for-like sales rose 8.6% in October and November amid continued strong demand across the DIY market and progress in retaining sales from branches closed as part of a restructuring exercise implemented earlier this year.
The group highlighted that it had seen particularly strong sales at its Wickes and Toolstation businesses. Retail like-for-likes jumped 19.3% and Toolstation rose 32.4%.
However, sales at its specialist merchants in BSS, CCF, Keyline and the large contract side of its P&H business have recovered more slowly.
Given the performance at Wickes and Toolstation, Travis Perkins announced today that both businesses will join other retailers in returning the business rates relief it received as part of the government’s pandemic support package. It will also repay monies received under the Job Retention Scheme. This totals around £50m.
