Acquisition of DIY Kitchens Boosts Sales at Howdens

Howden Joinery Group plc, the UK’s largest trade kitchen and joinery supplier, today announces an update on current trading, which comprises Periods 7 to 11 from 14 June to 31 October 2026. 

Sales performance

Group sales increased by 6.8% in Periods 7 to 11 and by 5.1% year-to-date. Reported sales include those of DIY Kitchens from the date of acquisition (23 June 2026).

UK sales increased by 6.8% in Periods 7 to 11 and by 5.0% year-to-date, in challenging macro-economic conditions. On a pro-forma sales basis2, which includes the sales of DIY Kitchens in both years, UK sales increased by 1.8% in periods 7 to 11 and were 2.4% ahead year to date. We achieved record sales during TradeFest®, our peak trading period, supported by our differentiated business model and a significant proportion of new kitchen and joinery product in our line-up. DIY Kitchens has performed well and as expected, post-acquisition. 

International sales3 in local currency increased by 6.2% in Periods 7 to 11 (10.2% ahead excluding the impact of the planned French depot closures2) as customer appreciation of our differentiated in-stock, trade model continued to increase. We remain on track with our outlook for 2026 and expect to deliver Group underlying profit before tax in line with current market expectations4.

Commenting on Howdens’ performance and outlook Andrew Livingston, Chief Executive said:

“Our trade only business has continued to grow supported by our highly engaged and well incentivised local teams, industry leading product ranges, and consistently high stock availability.  DIY Kitchens traded in line with our expectations. Its differentiated customer proposition and new route to market further expands our addressable customer base in the UK.  Our on-going productivity and efficiency programmes are supporting competitive pricing across all our kitchen and joinery categories and are helping to mitigate inflationary pressures. We remain on track with the outlook for 2026.” 

The Insight DIY Perspective

1) Look beyond the headline growth: Howdens' 6.8% UK sales increase during the period is impressive, but the pro-forma figure of 1.8%, which accounts for the acquisition of DIY Kitchens, gives a more realistic indication of underlying market momentum. Growth remains positive, but the relatively modest increase suggests the kitchen market is still operating in a challenging environment rather than experiencing a significant recovery. For suppliers, Howdens' ability to maintain growth in these conditions reinforces the importance of its established trade relationships, product offer and stock availability.

2) A significant strategic development is taking shape: The acquisition of DIY Kitchens gives Howdens something it has not previously had: a meaningful route into the direct-to-consumer market, alongside its established trade-only operation. With DIY Kitchens trading in line with expectations, this could prove increasingly important as kitchen purchasing behaviour evolves. Rather than simply adding another revenue stream, Howdens has the opportunity to serve two distinct customer groups through different business models. The challenge will be to grow both without compromising the strengths of either proposition. Its continued investment in new product ranges, competitive pricing and operational efficiency also suggests it is determined to defend its position in an increasingly competitive market.

1 Howdens acquired DIY Kitchens on 23 June 2026. It is reported within the UK business and included in reported sales from the acquisition date.

2 Pro-forma sales growth is provided as additional comparative context and is distinct from reported sales growth. For the UK, the comparison includes  DIY Kitchens sales from the date of acquisition in the current-year and its sales in the corresponding prior-year period. For International, the comparison excludes the impact of strategic optimisation in the International (French) depot network, with depots closed in France in 2025 (2 depots) and 2026 (6 depots).

3 International growth is shown in local currency and comprises Howdens depots in France, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland.

4 2026 Full Year underlying profit before tax consensus, which is published on the Company’s website, is an average of £361m.  

Source : Howdens

Image : Howdens

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY newsletter.