UK DIY Retailers See Strong Share Gains in 2025 Amid Property Market Challenges
DIY retailers Kingfisher (B&Q), Topps Tiles, Wickes, and DFS are experiencing significant share-price growth in 2025, with Wickes up 56%, Kingfisher 26.5%, Topps Tiles 13%, and DFS 23% year-to-date. These gains follow Homebase entering administration in November 2024, which reduced competition in the sector.
Despite these gains, the broader property market shows signs of stagnation. Halifax data reveal that November house-price growth was flat, with annual growth slowing to 0.7% from 1.9% a year earlier. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reports that new buyer demand is at its lowest since 2023, though Halifax notes that affordability is at its strongest since late 2015.
Within the related building materials sector, shares have underperformed compared to DIY retailers, with Howden Joinery up 5% but Travis Perkins declining 11%. Meanwhile, consumer spending on household goods has outpaced wider retail, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. However, unemployment at 5.1% for the three months leading to October could temper growth in the DIY market.
Budget measures including a higher minimum wage and changes to property taxes may encourage more DIY activity as rising costs in other areas lead people to spend more time at home.
