‘Positive’ first quarter for Travis Perkins

Northampton-based builders’ merchants Travis Perkins has posted a “positive’ start to 2019, despite what it is calling “uncertain market conditions”.

The company says group like-for-like sales grew by 7.3% and total sales by of 5.4% for Q1.

Its Toolstation brand saw strong growth of 25%, while there was a “good recovery” at Wickes with 10.5% like-for-like sales growth.

John Carter, chief executive, said: “We have delivered strong sales growth in the first quarter of the year, which reflects both our focus on excellent customer service and the weak comparator in 2018. This performance is all the more encouraging given the impact of the on-going political uncertainty on our end markets.”