First half sales were down at home improvement retailer, Wickes.

The retailer, which has stores in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Cirencester, saw a 0.6% rise in total retail like-for-likes sales, but sales in the design and installation arm fell by 17%, as reported by Retail Gazette.

Wickes said there was a fall in big ticket purchases, as well as a strong comparative performance in 2023. But it added that it had grown market share.

Overall group revenues were down 3.4% to £799.9m, but the retailer said there has been no change in its profit outlook.

It has seen growth in its TradePro scheme for trade professionals and continued good demand for its lower priced own-brand kitchens.