news
Decline in Wickes design & install business slows
DESPITE CHALLENGING market conditions, Wickes saw positive revenue growth across 2024, and says it has managed to considerably slow the decline in its design and install orders. In its full year trading update for 2024,
Wickes said the year saw it generate retail revenue of roughly £1.2bn, marking year-on- year growth of almost 2% for the retailer. The retailer’s TradePro business also continued
to perform strongly, with sales reportedly up by 14% year-on-year in the second half of the year. Additionally, Wickes said its number of active TradePro members has increased by 19% year-on-year to 581,000. Wickes said its design and install business “continues to improve, with the
decline in revenue slowing considerably”. Although admitting that big ticket purchases “remain challenging”, the retailer still made design revenue of £326.5m across the whole of 2024. Specifically, the retailer saw a concerning 17% year-on-year decline in
revenue in the first six months of the year, but managed to mitigate this to decline of just 2% for the back half of 2024. Across the year, this equates to revenue decline of 10.5%, however
Wickes says its design & install sales improved across the second half of 2024, which was thanks to actions it took to improve its customer experience In July of last year, Wickes said it was looking to reduce its number of
kitchen and bathroom advisors as it wanted to streamline the customer experience, with up to 200 roles at risk of being cut.
Merlyn reveals plans to conquer France
SHOWER ENCLOSURE brand
Merlyn has expanded into the French market, and will distribute products from a Paris warehouse. As part of the French market launch, Merlyn has partnered with 22 freelance agents positioned around the country, who the company says will combine extensive local knowledge with Merlyn training. The company’s expansion is
supported by a dedicated French speaking team across four specialities. Merlyn has also created specific French brochures with products and information, customised point of sale material, a
6 kbbreview
new French website, and unique French social media content. James Cambell, Merlyn’s export manager was optimistic, saying: “With our talented team of agents, efficient logistics, and focused marketing approach, Merlyn is set to become a trusted name in France’s bathroom industry.”
March 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
