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Travis Perkins PLC — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2021
Apr 21, 2021
5270_rns_2021-04-21_23c297ec-cc27-4f8a-b8a7-9f28dba253a9.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in any doubt as to the action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own financial advice immediately and should consult your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other appropriate professional independent adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA") immediately, if you are in the United Kingdom, or from another appropriately authorised independent professional adviser, if you are taking advice in a territory outside the United Kingdom.
If you sell or transfer or have sold or otherwise transferred all of your Travis Perkins Shares, please send this document, together with the other accompanying documents, at once to the purchaser or transferee, or to the stockbroker, bank or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected for transmission to the purchaser or transferee. However, such documents should not be forwarded, distributed or transmitted in or into any jurisdiction in which such act would constitute a violation of the relevant laws in such jurisdiction. If you have sold part of your holding of shares in Travis Perkins plc ("Travis Perkins" or the "Company"), please retain this document and the other accompanying documents and contact immediately the bank, stockbroker or other agent through whom the sale or transfer was effected.
This supplementary circular (the "Supplementary Circular") has been prepared in accordance with the Listing Rules. This Supplementary Circular has been approved by the FCA. It is supplemental to, and must be read in conjunction with, the original circular distributed to the Company's shareholders dated 24 March 2021 (the "Original Circular"), which has been published on Travis Perkins plc's website (www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk). Unless otherwise defined in this Supplementary Circular, capitalised terms have the meanings ascribed to them in the Original Circular.
Travis Perkins plc
(Incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 824821)
Supplementary Circular to Shareholders
Proposed demerger of the Wickes Group from the Travis Perkins Group and the Travis Perkins Share Consolidation
Joint Financial Advisors and Joint Sponsors
Citigroup
Deutsche Bank
Notice of a General Meeting of Travis Perkins to be held at Ryehill House, Rye Hill Close, Lodge farm Industrial Estate, Northampton NN5 7UA at 10.45 a.m. or, if later, at the time which is immediately after the 2021 annual general meeting convened for the same place and day shall have been concluded or adjourned on 27 April 2021 is set out in the Original Circular. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we have to insist on non-attendance by shareholders (or any proxies or corporate representatives) at the General Meeting venue and we request that they do not travel to the venue on the day. You will be able to attend the General Meeting via the live webcast which will be broadcast from Travis Perkins' offices in Northampton by our partner Lumi. You will need to use Lumi's web platform to access the webcast at https://web.lumiagm.com. Full details of how to access the General Meeting via Lumi's platform are set out on page 95 of the Original Circular. There are a variety of ways for you to register your vote. You can register your proxy vote electronically by logging on to www.travisperkins-shares.com; or you can download, complete and return a paper Proxy Form from Travis Perkins' website at www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk (or request a copy from Travis Perkins' Registrar, Link Group). A Proxy Form must be completed, signed and returned so as to be received by Travis Perkins' Registrar as soon as possible but, in any event, so as to arrive no later than 10.45 a.m. on 23 April 2021. In addition, CREST members may use the CREST electronic proxy appointment service and institutional investors may use the Proxymity platform to appoint a proxy electronically, details of which are set out in Note 4 and 5 of the Notice of General Meeting set out at the end of the Original Circular. Submission of a Proxy Form will not prevent members from attending via the webcast and voting at the General Meeting itself via the Lumi platform should they wish to do so.
Applications will be made to the FCA for all of the ordinary shares of Wickes Group plc (the "Wickes Shares") to be admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the FCA (the "Official List") and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange plc (the "London Stock Exchange") for listed securities (together, "Admission"). It is expected that Admission will become effective, and that dealings in the Wickes Shares will commence, at 8.00 a.m. (London time) on 28 April 2021. No application is currently intended to be made for the Wickes Shares to be admitted to listing or dealing on any other exchange.
Applications will also be made to the FCA for all of the New Travis Perkins Shares arising from the Travis Perkins Share Consolidation to be admitted to the premium listing segment of the Official List and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange for listed securities (together, the "Travis Perkins Admission"). It is expected that such admission to listing will become effective, and that dealings in the New Travis Perkins Shares will commence, at 8.00 a.m. on 29 April 2021.
For a discussion of certain risk factors which should be taken into account when considering what action you should take in connection with the General Meeting, please see Part IV: "Risk Factors" of the Original Circular.
Citigroup Global Markets Limited ("Citi") is authorised in the United Kingdom by the Prudential Regulation Authority ("PRA") and regulated in the United Kingdom by the PRA and the FCA. Citi is acting as financial adviser and sponsor exclusively for the Company and Wickes Group plc ("Wickes") and for no one else in connection with the Demerger, Admission, Travis Perkins Admission or any other matters referred to in this document or the Original Circular and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company and Wickes for providing the protections afforded to clients of Citi nor for providing advice in connection with the Demerger, Admission, Travis Perkins Admission, or any other matters referred to in this document or the Original Circular. Neither Citi nor any of its affiliates, directors or employees owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, consequential, whether in contract, in tort, in delict, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Citi in connection with the Demerger, Admission, Travis Perkins Admission, the Original Circular, this document, any statement contained herein, or otherwise.
Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Citi by FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder or under the regulatory regime of any other applicable jurisdiction where exclusion of liability under the relevant regulatory regime would be illegal, void or unenforceable, neither Citi nor any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees or advisers accepts any responsibility whatsoever for the contents of this document, including its accuracy, completeness and verification, or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on its behalf, in connection with the Company or its subsidiaries, Wickes Shares, New Travis Perkins Shares, or the Demerger, Admission or Travis Perkins Admission. Citi and its affiliates, directors, officers, employees or advisers accordingly disclaim, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all and any liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which they might otherwise be found to have in respect of this document or any such statement. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Citi or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees or advisers as to the accuracy, completeness, verification or sufficiency of the information set out in this document, and nothing in this document will be relied upon as a promise or representation in this respect, whether to the past or future.
Deutsche Bank AG is a joint stock corporation incorporated with limited liability in the Federal Republic of Germany, with its head office in Frankfurt am Main where it is registered in the Commercial Register of the District Court under number HRB 30 000. Deutsche Bank AG is authorised under German banking law. The London branch of Deutsche Bank AG is registered in the register of companies for England and Wales (registration number BR000005) with its registered address and principal place of business at Winchester House, 1 Great Winchester Street, London EC2N 2DB. Deutsche Bank AG is authorised and regulated by the European Central Bank and the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). With respect to activities undertaken in the UK, Deutsche Bank AG is authorised by the PRA with deemed variation of permission. It is subject to regulation by the FCA and limited regulation by the PRA. Details about the Temporary Permissions Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period while seeking full authorisation, are available on the FCA's website. In connection with the Demerger, Admission and Travis Perkins Admission, Deutsche Bank AG is acting through its London branch ("Deutsche Bank" and, together with Citi, the "Joint Sponsors"). Deutsche Bank is acting exclusively as financial adviser and sponsor for the Company and Wickes and no one else in connection with the Demerger, Admission and Travis Perkins Admission, and Deutsche Bank will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this document or the Original Circular) as a client in relation to the Demerger, Admission or Travis Perkins Admission and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Demerger, Admission or Travis Perkins Admission or any other transaction, matter or arrangement referred to in this document or the Original Circular.
Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Deutsche Bank by FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder or under the regulatory regime of any other applicable jurisdiction where exclusion of liability under the relevant regulatory regime would be illegal, void or unenforceable, neither Deutsche Bank nor any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees or advisers accepts any responsibility whatsoever for the contents of this document, including its accuracy, completeness and verification, or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on its behalf, in connection with the Company or its subsidiaries, Wickes Shares, New Travis Perkins Shares, or the Demerger, Admission or Travis Perkins Admission or otherwise. Deutsche Bank and its affiliates, directors, officers, employees or advisers accordingly disclaim, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all and any liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which they might otherwise be found to have in respect of this document or any such statement. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Deutsche Bank or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees or advisers as to the accuracy, completeness, verification or sufficiency of the information set out in this document, and nothing in this document will be relied upon as a promise or representation in this respect, whether to the past or future.
The distribution of this document in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and, therefore, persons into whose possession this document comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions in relation to Wickes Shares, New Travis Perkins Shares or this document, including those in the paragraphs that follow. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Except in the United Kingdom, no action has been taken or will be taken in any jurisdiction that would permit possession or distribution of this document in any country or jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, this document may not be distributed or published in any jurisdiction where to do so would breach any securities laws or regulations of any such jurisdiction or give rise to an obligation to obtain any consent, approval or permission, or to make any application, filing or registration. Failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws or regulations of such jurisdictions.
No person has been authorised to give any information or to make any representations in connection with the Demerger other than the information and representations contained in this document or the Original Circular and, if any other information or representations is or are given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorised by or on behalf of the Company, the Directors, Citi or Deutsche Bank. Citi, Deutsche Bank and their affiliates may have engaged in transactions with, and provided various investment banking, financial advisory and other services to, the Company, Wickes and their respective affiliates, for which they have received customary fees. Citi, Deutsche Bank and their respective affiliates may provide such services to the Company, Wickes and their respective affiliates in the future.
The Wickes Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold within the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the US Securities Act. The Wickes Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission in the United States or any other US regulatory authority, and none of the foregoing authorities has passed upon or endorsed the merits of the Wickes Shares or the accuracy or adequacy of this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.
This document is dated 15 April 2021.
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PART I
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR OF TRAVIS PERKINS PLC
(incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 824821)
| Directors | Registered office |
|---|---|
| Jasmine Whitbread | Travis Perkins plc |
| Nick Roberts | Lodge Way House |
| Alan Williams | Lodge Way |
| Coline McConville | Harlestone Road |
| Pete Redfern | Northampton |
| Christopher Rogers | NN5 7UG |
| John Rogers | |
| Marianne Culver | |
| Blair Illingworth |
15 April 2021
Dear Shareholder
Introduction to the Supplementary Circular
On 24 March 2021, Travis Perkins posted a circular providing details of the Demerger and notice of the Travis Perkins General Meeting relating to the Demerger to be held at Ryehill House, Rye Hill Close, Lodge farm Industrial Estate, Northampton NN5 7UA at 10.45 a.m. on 27 April 2021 or, if later, at the time which is immediately after the 2021 AGM convened for the same place and day shall have been concluded or adjourned (the "Original Circular").
Following the publication of the Original Circular, the Company published its Q1 trading update on 15 April 2021 (the "Trading Update").
Accordingly, the purpose of this Supplementary Circular is to provide the details of the Trading Update to Travis Perkins Shareholders. The Trading Update is set out, in full, in the Appendix to this Supplementary Circular.
This Supplementary Circular is supplemental to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Original Circular. The Company has prepared and published this Supplementary Circular in accordance with the Listing Rules as the Directors regard the Trading Update to be a material change affecting matters the Company was required to disclose in the Original Circular. To the extent that there is any inconsistency between a statement in this Supplementary Circular and a statement contained in the Original Circular, the statement in this Supplementary Circular will prevail.
Shareholders are referred to the Original Circular for further information including the recommendation from the Board to vote in favour of the Demerger and the Travis Perkins Share Consolidation.
In addition, as noted in the Original Circular, on 31 March 2021, I was appointed as a Director and as the Chair of the Company and replaced Stuart Chambers who stepped down as a Director and as Chairman on the same date.
Yours faithfully
Jasmine Whitbread
Chair
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PART II
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
GENERAL
Travis Perkins and the Directors, whose names are set out in Part I: "Letter from the Chair of Travis Perkins plc" of this Supplementary Circular, accept responsibility for the information contained in this document. To the best of the knowledge and belief of Travis Perkins and the Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this document is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
Other than as otherwise disclosed in this Supplementary Circular, there has been no other significant new factor, material mistake or material inaccuracy relating to the information in the Original Circular that has arisen since the publication of the Original Circular.
The contents of this document are not to be construed as legal, business or tax advice. Recipients of this document should consult their own lawyer, financial adviser or tax adviser for legal, financial or tax advice, as appropriate. Furthermore, none of Travis Perkins, the Directors or the Joint Sponsors accept any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any information reported by the press or other media, or the fairness or appropriateness of any forecasts, views or opinions expressed by the press or other media regarding the Demerger, Admission, the Travis Perkins Group or the Wickes Group. Travis Perkins and the Directors make no representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness or reliability of any such information or publication.
Recipients of this document may not reproduce or distribute this document, in whole or in part, and may not disclose any of the contents of this document or use any information herein for any purpose other than considering the Demerger. Such recipients of this document agree to the foregoing by accepting delivery of this document.
If the Demerger proceeds, Shareholders, who previously had an indirect interest in Wickes and the Wickes Group, will have a direct interest in Wickes and the Wickes Group and, accordingly, will be directly subject to risks affecting the Wickes Group, its business, its results of operations and its financial condition.
This document has been published solely in connection with the Demerger, the Travis Perkins Share Consolidation and the Wickes Share Plans. Those considering Admission, including the risks relevant to Admission, Wickes Shares and the Wickes Group, should rely only on the information in the Wickes Prospectus.
Shareholders and prospective investors in Wickes Shares will be deemed to have acknowledged that they have not relied on Citi, Deutsche Bank or any person affiliated with them in connection with any investigation of the accuracy of any information contained in this document for their investment decision.
Citi has given and not withdrawn its written consent to the inclusion of its name in this document in the form and context in which it is included.
Deutsche Bank has given and not withdrawn its written consent to the inclusion of its name in this document in the form and context in which it is included.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document may include certain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions, including statements with respect to the Travis Perkins Group's or the Wickes Group's business, financial condition and results of operations. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "plans", "anticipates", "targets", "aims", "continues", "expects", "intends", "hopes", "may", "will", "would", "could" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These statements are made by the Board in good faith based on the information available to them at the date of this document and reflect the Board's beliefs and expectations. By their nature, these statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. A number of factors could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, developments in the global economy, changes in regulation and government policies, spending and procurement methodologies, currency fluctuations,
a failure in the Travis Perkins Group's or the Wickes Group's health, safety or environmental policies and other factors discussed in Part IV: "Risk Factors" of the Original Circular.
No representation or warranty is made that any of these statements or forecasts will come to pass or that any forecast results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements may, and often do, differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statements in this document speak only as of their respective dates, reflect the Board's current view with respect to future events and are subject to risks relating to future events and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Travis Perkins Group's or the Wickes Group's operations and growth strategy. You should specifically consider the factors identified in this document which could cause actual results to differ before making any decision in relation to the Demerger. Subject to the requirements of the FCA, the London Stock Exchange, the Listing Rules and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (and/or any regulatory requirements) or applicable law, Travis Perkins explicitly disclaims any obligation or undertaking publicly to release the result of any revisions to any forward-looking statements in this document that may occur due to any change in Travis Perkins' expectations or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document. Neither the forward-looking statements contained in this document nor the statements in this "Important Information" section seek to in any way qualify the working capital statement in Part VIII: "Additional Information" of the Original Circular.
No statement in this document is or is intended to be a profit forecast or to imply that the earnings of Travis Perkins or Wickes for the current or future financial years will necessarily match or exceed the historical or published earnings of Travis Perkins or Wickes.
Any information contained in this document on the price at which shares or other securities in Travis Perkins have been bought or sold in the past, or on the yield on such shares or other securities, should not be relied upon as a guide to future performance.
US CONSIDERATIONS
The Wickes Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the US Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. There will be no public offering of the Wickes Shares in the United States for the purposes of the US Securities Act. At the time of the Demerger, the Wickes Shares will not be listed on any securities exchange in the United States, and the Wickes Group expects to rely on an exemption from registration under the US Securities Exchange Act 1934, as amended, provided by Rule 12g 3-2(b) thereunder.
The Wickes Shares are expected to be issued in reliance on the position taken by the Division of Corporation Finance of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, set forth in Staff Legal Bulletin No. 4, that shares distributed in a spin-off do not require registration under the US Securities Act if, as is the case with respect to the Demerger, certain conditions are satisfied.
The Wickes Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission in the United States or any US regulatory authority, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the Wickes Shares or the accuracy or adequacy of this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.
Shareholders will not be required to pay cash or provide any other consideration to receive any distribution of the Wickes Shares in connection with the Demerger.
NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION
This document is not a prospectus but a shareholder circular and it does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, acquire, subscribe for, sell, dispose of or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to sell, dispose of, purchase, acquire or subscribe for, any security, including the Travis Perkins Shares, the Wickes Shares or any other securities of Travis Perkins or Wickes.
PUBLICATION ON WEBSITE AND AVAILABILITY OF HARD COPIES
A copy of this document, together with all information incorporated into this document by reference to another source, is and will be available for inspection on Travis Perkins' website at www.travisperkinsplc.
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co.uk from the time that this document is published. For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of the websites referred to in this document are not incorporated into and do not form part of this document.
If and to the extent that any document or information incorporated by reference or attached to this document itself incorporates any information by reference, either expressly or impliedly, such information will not form part of this document, except where such information or documents are stated within this document as specifically being incorporated by reference or where this document is specifically defined as including such information.
In particular, information on or accessible through Travis Perkins' corporate website at www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk and through Wickes' corporate website at www.wickesplc.co.uk does not form part of and is not incorporated into this document.
If you have any queries in connection with this document or the Demerger, or if you have received this document in electronic form and you want to request a hard copy of this document and/or any information incorporated into this document by reference to another source, you can contact Travis Perkins' Registrar, Link Group, at 10th Floor, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL, or between 9.00 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. (London time), Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays in England and Wales), on 0371 664 0321 from within the UK or on +44 (0) 371 664 0321 if calling from outside the UK (calls from outside the UK will be charged at the applicable international rate and different charges may apply to calls from mobile telephones), with your full name and the full address to which the hard copy may be sent (calls may be recorded and monitored for training and security purposes) if relevant. The helpline operators cannot provide advice on the merits of the Demerger nor give any financial, legal or tax advice.
ROUNDING
Percentages in tables may have been rounded and, accordingly, may not add up to 100 per cent. Certain financial data has been rounded and, as a result of this rounding, the totals of data presented in this document may vary slightly from the actual arithmetic totals of such data.
References to "£", "GBP", "pounds", "pounds sterling", "sterling", "p", "penny" or "pence" are to the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
Certain terms used in this document, including capitalised terms and certain technical and other items, are defined and explained in Part IX: "Definitions and Glossary" of the Original Circular.
APPENDIX
THE TRAVIS PERKINS TRADING UPDATE
15 April 2021
Travis Perkins plc - Q1 2021 trading update
Encouraging start to the year; Wickes demerger on track for completion on 28th April
Highlights
- Positive start to 2021 driven by strong RMI demand with Group (excluding Wickes) like-for-like sales growth of 17.4% and 11.8% on a 2 year like-for-like basis
- Good like-for-like growth in Merchanting and P&H, up 15.5% and 11.4% respectively, underpinned by sales retention from the 2020 restructuring programme
- Continued acceleration of Toolstation growth with like-for-like sales up 42.0%
- Ongoing strong performance in Wickes with like-for-like sales up 19.7%. Excellent growth in Core of 38.5% partially offset by DIFM, down (25.0)% on a like-for-like basis due to showroom closures
- Wickes demerger due to complete with trading in Wickes shares commencing on 28th April. Travis Perkins share consolidation to be effective following market close on 28th April, trading in new Travis Perkins shares commencing on 29th April
Nick Roberts, Chief Executive, commented:
"The Group has enjoyed an encouraging start to the year with robust like-for-like sales growth across our businesses, underpinned by strong demand in the RMI market. The Merchanting business has maintained the momentum seen in the second half of last year while Toolstation continues to outperform, driven by its convenient and trade focused proposition.
I am also pleased to report that the Wickes demerger process remains on schedule to be completed at the end of April, leaving the business a simplified and trade focused group.
We are encouraged by the robustness of the RMI market and the continued recovery in our other key end markets. However, at this early stage in the year, our expectations remain unchanged as we continue to make progress on the delivery of our longer-term strategic plans."
| Q1 2021 sales growth | Merchanting | Toolstation | Plumbing & Heating | Group (excluding Wickes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like sales growth | 15.5% | 42.0% | 11.4% | 17.4% |
| Net space change | (8.4)% | 8.9% | (5.0)% | (6.2)% |
| Business disposals | - | - | (8.4)% | (3.0)% |
| Trading days | (1.4)% | (1.1)% | (1.4)% | (1.4)% |
| Total sales growth | 5.7% | 49.8% | (3.4)% | 6.8% |
| Two-year like-for-like | 6.3% | 66.8%* | 9.1% | 11.8% |
- Excludes Toolstation Europe
Business performance
Group, excluding Wickes
The momentum in the Group's end markets experienced in the second half of 2020 has continued into the current year. Revenue performance has been boosted by the retention of sales from the branch closure programme conducted last summer and the lapping of a weaker prior year comparator which included the start of the first national lockdown in March 2020, leading to Group like-for-like sales growth of 17.4%.
Throughout January and February all businesses saw a continuation of the trends from the last quarter of 2020. During March, however, the Group experienced a marked step up in activity with pent-up demand and continued high levels of housing transactions fuelling higher RMI spend. In contrast, the
new build housing and commercial sectors remain subdued although the businesses with exposure to the "early cycle" trades are seeing the first signs of improvement.
Like-for-like sales in the Merchanting segment were up by 6.3% on a two-year basis, supported by the retention of sales from 2020 branch closures. On a total sales basis, Merchanting sales were down (2.6)% vs Q1 2019 reflecting the overall reduced network capacity.
Toolstation's impressive like-for-like growth continued, driven by its digitally enabled and convenient sales proposition. The Group remains on track to open 60 new branches in the UK in 2021, with further encouraging progress in expanding the European business.
The Plumbing & Heating business continued the positive momentum seen in the second half of last year with two year like-for-like sales up 9.1%. Similarly to the Merchanting business, P&H has seen strength in its smaller, RMI focused customer base with the large contract segment slower to recover.
The Group is experiencing an increasingly inflationary environment, over and above that seen in the second half of 2020, with prices on certain raw material categories, such as timber, copper and steel, rising significantly. At this stage, however, cost price inflation remains manageable. Additionally, the Group has seen availability shortages on some lightside products imported from Asia, as well as some key heavyside products moving onto allocation, albeit this has not had a material impact on trading at this stage.
Wickes (13 weeks to 27 March 2021)
Like-for-like sales growth 19.7%
Net space change (0.8%)
Total sales growth 18.9%
Two-year like-for-like 25.6%
Wickes like-for-like sales performance continued to be strong at 19.7% in Q1, 25.6% ahead on a two year basis. The excellent Core performance seen in the second half of 2020 has continued into the current year with Q1 like-for-like sales at 38.5%. This performance was delivered across a broad range of product categories and was driven by Wickes digital capability, with continued high participation of customer delivery and click and collect fulfilment.
With DIFM showrooms remaining closed throughout the quarter, which included the key winter sale period, the recently developed digital DIFM journey enabled Wickes to maximise the opportunity available in the market. Q1 DIFM like-for-like sales declined by (25.0)% on a delivered basis, and orders through the winter sale period were down by around (50)%.
Performance of Core through the Easter trading period remained strong, benefiting from continued positive engagement in DIY and buoyant local trade, together with ongoing restrictions in the wider non-essential retail market, which eased on 12th April.
Enquiries:
Travis Perkins
Matt Worster
+44 (0) 7990 088548
[email protected]
Powerscourt
Justin Griffiths / James White
+44 (0) 7990 088548 +44 (0) 207 2501446
[email protected]
Heinrich Richter
+44 (0) 7392 125417
[email protected]