NEWS
Consumers become more selective as ecommerce growth shifts from volume to precision
UK ecommerce parcel volumes remained broadly flat during the second quarter of 2026, but new data from delivery management platform Scurri suggests retailers are experiencing a much more nuanced market, with consumers becoming increasingly selective about where they spend. Scurri’s latest Ecommerce Delivery Index found overall
parcel volumes grew by just 0.2% year on year between April and June. However, behind those headline figures significant differences emerged between retail sectors, delivery preferences and international destinations.
Demand was strongest in categories
where shoppers
typically have a clear purchase intention. Electronics recorded the largest year on year increase
Wickes returns to retail growth as H1 momentum builds
Wickes has reported a solid second quarter, with group revenue increasing 2.3% to £483 million, driven by continued volume growth across both its Retail and Design
& Installation
businesses. The home improvement retailer said the performance leaves it comfortable with market expectations for full-year adjusted profit before tax. Retail returned to growth during the quarter, with revenue rising 1.8% year-on-year to £366m as customer numbers increased
Bira calls for wider high street support
A leading independent retailers association has called for wider business rates relief for the high street. It comes after pubs, clubs and live music venues were handed a further 20% cut. The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), which works with over 6,000 independent retailers across the UK, said other high street businesses have been left behind.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that pubs, clubs and live music venues in England will get a 20% reduction in their business rates bills. It takes effect from April 2027. The cut comes on top of the 15% relief already announced. Downing Street said it could
4 DIY WEEK JULY 2026
save a typical pub an estimated £1,100 in tax next year. Nearly 32,000 venues will benefit, with the cut expected to cost around £100 million. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “Once again pubs, clubs and music venues are being given special treatment on business rates. This follows the discount they were given after last year’s disastrous changes to the system. My question is straightforward... what about the rest of the high street?” “When other businesses have seen a 15 per cent increase this year and their business rates bill more than double since 2024? If the Prime Minister is serious about revitalising high streets, he cannot only support pubs in this way.”
despite ongoing price deflation. Like-for-like Retail sales grew 0.6%,
while
the business continued to gain market share, with two- year Retail LFL growth reaching 8.5%. TradePro remained a key driver of performance, with sales up 6% year-on-year and active members increasing 9% to 671,000. Investment in convenience also continued to
pay off, with digitally-led Click & Collect and Home Delivery sales growing 7%. DIY sales were broadly flat.
its
Design & Installation delivered fifth consecutive quarter of
positive delivered sales growth. Lifestyle Kitchens and Bespoke Bathrooms continued to perform
Worldpay joins BHETA as business support provider
Global payments provider, Worldpay
is the latest
addition to BHETA’s network of Business Support Providers, offering members access to market-leading payments
technology and
expertise. Worldpay helps businesses deliver seamless payment experiences across every channel,
including in-store,
online, mobile, and omnichannel environments. Its secure and scalable solutions are designed to support business growth, increase conversion rates, and enhance the customer journey. With decades of industry
experience and an extensive international footprint, Worldpay works with retailers, eCommerce businesses, and hospitality operators around the world. The company enables organisations to accept payments in multiple currencies and through a broad range of payment methods, helping them meet evolving customer expectations. Through the partnership,
BHETA members will benefit from preferential pricing and tailored commercial models, as well as access to solutions that support in-store, eCommerce, and omnichannel payment acceptance.
in parcel volumes at 63.5%, followed by Tool & DIY (23.2%), Sports Equipment (21.7%), Homewares (21.5%) and Medical products (20.6%). Some of this growth reflects seasonal events and external influences. Electronics retailers benefited from
demand around major sporting events, while favourable weather helped drive spending on DIY and outdoor improvement projects.
The research also shows that delivery expectations remain firmly centred on speed. Next day and two-day delivery continue to account for more than four in ten ecommerce orders,
demonstrating increased that
rapid fulfilment remains a core expectation for online shoppers. Rory O’Connor, Founder and CEO of Scurri, said: “The headline numbers suggest year on year ecommerce growth was
strongly, although customers
remained more cautious on larger Bespoke Kitchen purchases, resulting in ordered sales by value being slightly below last year’s level. Chief executive David Wood said: “This has been another period of revenue growth, driven once again by volumes and an increase in the number of Wickes customers. Our Retail business has performed well given the current external environment, while our broadening Design & Installation offer is supporting changing consumer trends.” Wickes also continues to invest in its estate, completing eight store refits or refreshes during the first half of the year and reaffirming plans to open four to five new stores and refurbish a further 15 to 20 locations during 2026.
relatively flat in Q2, but that’s not what retailers are experiencing. Consumers have become far more selective, we’re seeing them spending with greater intent, while retailers are finding opportunities in specific categories, seasonal events and new international markets. At the same time, customers continue to expect fast, reliable delivery, making fulfilment performance more important than ever.”
Stiebel Eltron UK welcomes new heat pump grant boost
Leading heat pump manufacturer, Stiebel Eltron UK,
has welcomed the
government’s decision to increase the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant to £9,000 for households currently heating with oil or LPG. The uplift, confirmed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, takes effect from 21 July and applies to air source and ground source heat pump installations in England and Wales. It represents a £1,500 increase on the standard £7,500 grant available to mains gas homes and is aimed at the estimated 1.7 million
off-gas-grid households across the two nations.
The change forms part of a wider set of measures designed to weaken the link between gas and electricity prices. These include a rise in the Electricity Generator Levy
from 45% to
55%, and a new voluntary long- term contract for low-carbon generators covering around a third of
Britain’s power supply,
offered only where it delivers clear value for money for consumers. John Felgate, MD of Stiebel
Eltron UK, said: “We welcome this additional support to help homeowners adopt more environmentally-friendly alternatives. Making more heat pumps available and affordable for homeowners.”
www.diyweek.net
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