Wickes

Infobox Company
name = Wickes

logosize = 275px
type = Subsidiary
genre =
foundation = 1972: First Store opened in UK
1987: Flotation on London Stock Exchange
2005: Taken Over by Travis Perkins
founder =
location_city = Northampton
location_country = United Kingdom
location =
locations =
area_served = United Kingdom
key_people =
industry = Retail
products = DIY
Home Improvement
Garden Supplies
services =
revenue =
operating_income =
net_income =
assets =
equity =
owner =
num_employees =
parent = Travis Perkins plc
divisions =
subsid =
homepage = [http://www.wickes.co.uk www.wickes.co.uk]
footnotes =
intl =

Wickes is a UK DIY retailer owned by Travis Perkins with 183 stores throughout the country. It focuses on building materials and supplies for the public and trade.

History

Wickes was founded by Henry Dunn Wickes in Michigan, USA in 1854 and in 1972 Wickes Corporation along with British builders merchant, Sankeys opened its first store in the UK. By 1987 Wickes was trading from 41 locations and was floated on the London Stock Exchange.

In September 2000, Wickes was acquired by the Focus Group [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2004/dec/17/1 Travis nails Wickes for £950m | Business | The Guardian ] ] and grew from 131 in October 2000 to 172 in March 2004, including the re-branding of 36 Focus stores. Focus Group sold Wickes to Travis Perkins in 2005 [ [http://www.wickes.co.uk/page/corporate Wickes - Corporate ] ] .

In late 2007 Wickes accquired 7 stores from Focus DIY after it was taken over in June 2007 by Cerberus Capital for £1cite web
title = guardian.co.uk - "Focus DIY sold for £1"
publisher = guardian.co.uk
url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/jun/18/privateequity2
accessdate = 2008-03-12] , these stores were; Glossop, Mansfield, Penrith, Bulwell, Plumstead, Dumfries and Hereford.

Future

Wickes is planning to expand into the Irish market in 2008, with its first Irish store expected to open in Limerick City in JuneFact|date=April 2008.

References