Travis Perkins’ Q1 results report a LFL sales growth of 2.9% for its consumer division, which includes Wickes, despite a slowdown in growth due to later Easter.

Travis Perkins plc said its consumer division gave a “consistent strong performance” for the 13 weeks ended April 1, with total sales up 4.4% compared with the same period last year and LFL figures up 2.2%. The division, which includes Wickes, Toolstation and Tile Giant, saw a 2.4% uplift in net new space and acquisitions during the period, which follows TP’s consumer division strategy to expand the Wickes network by between five and 10 new stores per year.

While pleased with the performance, the timing of Easter meant the rate of growth for the consumer division slowed in the first quarter, as the Bank holiday weekend fell in the second quarter this year, as opposed to Q1 in 2016. TP stated that this timing effect suppressed reported like-for-like growth by approximately three percentage points. However, it added that underlying performance of both Wickes and Toolstation remains strong, with particularly good growth in the Wickes showroom offer, multi-channel sales and the continued network expansion of both Wickes and Toolstation.

Travis Perkins plc reported a total sales growth of 4.9% across the group, with like-for-like sales up 2.7%. The general merchanting division, which includes the 650-strong Travis Perkins chain and  Benchmarx Kitchen & Joinery, posted a 3.1% increase in total sales but like-for-likes were flat at 0.3%. The star of the quarter was TP’s contracts division, which soared 12%

Travis Perkins plc chief executive John Carter said of the results: “We delivered solid like-for-like sales growth in the first quarter, with volumes across the group, as anticipated, broadly flat. Revenue growth reflected careful pricing activity to recover input cost inflation assisted by the new pricing tools implemented over the last 12 months. Our Contracts business delivered a standout performance growing well ahead of the market.

“Despite mixed trading conditions expected for the remainder of 2017, we continue to be confident in the longer term outlook for the building materials market and our opportunities to grow and outperform. We continue to invest to build upon the scale advantage we have created and to extend or develop superior customer propositions. These investments will enable us to improve cash flow and returns over the longer term.”