Wickes, the home improvement retailer, said trading had accelerated markedly in the third quarter, with like-for-like retail sales now growing at a mid-single-digit rate.
The step up follows a solid first half and reinforced the group's view that it is on track to meet City forecasts for the full year.
Wickes is still guiding towards roughly 10% growth in adjusted profit before tax for 2026, helped by lower business rates and a productivity drive.
For the 26 weeks to 27 June, total revenue rose 2.1% to £865.3 million, up from £847.9 million a year earlier.
Retail sales edged up 0.8% as rising volumes offset deflation of 2.4%, while the Design & Installation arm, which fits kitchens and bathrooms, grew a punchier 5.7% on the back of a healthy order book.
Adjusted profit before tax nudged 1.1% higher to £27.6 million, as efficiency measures took some of the sting out of cost inflation.
Statutory profit before tax came in at £24.6 million, against £24.2 million last time.
The company finished the period with net cash of £151.6 million, having returned £26.3 million to shareholders and topped up its employee benefit trust.
Wickes lifted its interim dividend by 2.8% to 3.7p.
TradePro, its loyalty scheme for tradespeople, saw sales climb 5% as active membership swelled to 671,000 from 615,000.
The retailer also pressed on with its expansion plan, completing eight store refits and lining up four or five new openings in the second half as it edges towards a target of 300 shops.
Chief executive David Wood said more customers were choosing to shop with Wickes, pointing to record TradePro membership and strong demand for its bespoke bathrooms and kitchens.
A fuller Q3 update is due in late October.
