Travis Perkins’ (TP) core merchanting division continues to outperform its Wickes DIY business, according to the company’s latest trading update.

In a trading update released today, TP saw its merchanting division turnover rise 11.3% in the 11 months to the end of November. In contrast, delivered turnover at the Wickes DIY business for the 47 week trading period to November 26 was up just 0.6%, with like-for-like delivered sales down by 1.6%.

TP said its like-for-like marchanting turnover per trading day grew by 9.3%, while the increase for October and November was 8%.

General merchanting turnover for the 11 months was up by 9.8% with like-for-like turnover per trading day up 9%, while specialist merchanting business saw total turnover increase 13.7% with like-for-like turnover per trading day up by 9.8%.

In Wickes, core product sales, representing some 80% of turnover, increased on a like-for-like basis by 1.6%. Kitchen and bathroom delivered sales were down 13.3%, reflecting continued poor and weakening consumer confidence for major purchases.

For the last eight weeks total like-for-like delivered sales at Wickes were down 6.8%.

Wickes recently launched its first town centre micro store in Tunbridge Wells, featuring a limited selection of goods on display, with further goods available from stock and catalogues.

Travis Perkins total group turnover for the 11 months, including BSS (which TP recently acquired) in 2010 on a proforma basis but excluding data from the recently disposed Buck and Hickman business was up 5.5%. This period included one fewer trading day than in 2010.

Overall turnover without the proforma adjustment was ahead by 54.1%.

TP said its outlook for the year as a whole remain unchanged from earlier statements.