Wickes, a well-known DIY retailer in the UK, has announced its ambitious plans to expand its store portfolio from 230 to 300 locations nationwide, aiming to create over 2,000 new jobs. The company intends to open four to five new stores this year as a starting point, with plans to accelerate its expansion to at least ten new stores annually starting from 2028. This strategic growth is seen as a response to both increasing consumer demand and competitive pressures within the home improvement sector.

In addition to the new store openings, Wickes also plans to refurbish and refresh existing locations, with a goal to update 15 to 20 sites this year and at least 20 annually from 2028. Last year, the company successfully opened five new stores, with four of those taking over previous locations from Homebase, although they also closed three stores during the same period. This indicates a cautious but determined approach to managing their operational footprint amidst shifting market dynamics.

The announcement came alongside the release of Wickes' latest full-year results, which highlighted a considerable increase in underlying pre-tax profits, rising from £23 million to £49 million. This positive financial performance underscores the company’s resilience and growth potential as it embarks on this expansion journey, positioning itself strategically within the UK retail landscape for the foreseeable future.