28 April 2026                                                   

April trading update

A positive start to the year, on track with the outlook for 2026

Howden Joinery Group plc, the UK's largest specialist trade kitchen and joinery supplier, today announces a trading update for the first four periods of 2026 (16 weeks to 18 April 2026).

Current trading

¹ To aid comparison, underlying performance is adjusted for two fewer trading days in P1-4 vs 2025, worth c. £11m.

² Same depot basis excludes new depots opened in 2025 and 2026 and closed depots.

³ International comprises Howdens' depots in France, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland.

Overall, underlying Group sales were 3.7% ahead of the prior year and 2.8% ahead on a same depot basis. Underlying UK sales were 3.5% ahead of the prior year and 2.6% ahead on a same depot basis and International was 9.1% ahead and 7.9% on a same depot basis, against very strong prior year comparators. There were two fewer trading days in Periods 1-4 2026 than in the prior year. We successfully implemented price increases across all geographies at the start of the year, as we continue to optimise the balance between margin and volume.

Howdens' supply chain remains robust despite the ongoing instability in the Middle East and our near-sourced, vertically integrated business model is resilient across all macro-economic conditions. We are maintaining very good ongoing stock availability to support our trade customers to secure and deliver work, and we have hedged fuel expenses through to the end of the year. We will continue to stay vigilant in the current environment, keeping a sharp focus on productivity, efficiency and disciplined cost control.

Business developments

As outlined with the Full Year results, we expect to invest around £30m in our strategic initiatives this year to support future growth. We plan to open around 25 new depots in the UK, and 5 in the Republic of Ireland during 2026, in addition to refurbishing around 45 older UK depots. We are making good progress with new product introductions for 2026, including 24 new kitchens, and ongoing investment in our manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, including the expansion of the Runcorn manufacturing facility which is progressing as planned.

Outlook

The Group has traded well in the first four periods of 2026, and we continue to invest in our in-stock, trade-only, local business model. We are mindful that it is still early in the financial year and our sales are weighted towards the second half, given our Autumn peak trading period. We remain confident in our differentiated business model and we are on track with the outlook for 2026.

Next scheduled announcement

The Group will release its Half Year results on 23 July 2026.

1.   About Howden Joinery Group Plc

Howdens is the UK's number one specialist kitchen and joinery supplier. In the UK, the company sells kitchens and joinery products to trade customers, primarily local builders, through 891 depots. In 2025, the Group generated revenues of £2.4 billion and profit before tax of £344.9 million. Howdens is a proud UK-based manufacturer, with a significant proportion of its kitchen and joinery ranges manufactured in-house at its two principal factories in Runcorn, Cheshire, and Howden, East Yorkshire. At the end of 2025, Howdens operated from 79 depots in France, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland.

2.   Timetable for the final dividend

The timetable for payment of the proposed final dividend is shown below. A Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP") is provided by Computershare Investor Services PLC. The DRIP enables the Company's shareholders to elect to have their cash dividend payments used to purchase the Company's shares. More information can be found at https://www-uk.computershare.com/Investor/

3.   Provisional financial calendar for 2026

4. Cautionary statement

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking. Although the Group believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Because these statements contain risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.