If you thought retailers were prone to talking about the weather when explaining fluctuations in performance, wait until you meet a builder’s merchant.
First, the cold snap known as the Beast from the East turned homeowners off DIY. Then a warm start to the summer sent families back out in search of laminate flooring and garden sheds.
Travis Perkins is more affected than most of its peers by the state of the economy — and the weather. It has no overseas business to offset performance when cash-poor Brits are feeling the cold.
Investors will hope for some clarity when the FTSE 250 company posts half-year results on Tuesday.
Recent reports from kitchens supplier Howdens Joinery may provide some insight into what to expect. Howdens said