Howden Joinery Group on Thursday backed its full-year profit forecast, after strong trading momentum and a record peak sales period helped lift sales despite what it has called a challenging market.
The UK's largest trade kitchen supplier said group sales rose 2.8% in the trading periods from July to early November compared with the same period last year.
On a same-depot basis, which excludes the impact of new store openings, group sales were up 1.4%, the company said.
Sales in its main UK business increased by 2.4%, while its international operations grew 14.7% in local currency.
Howdens confirmed it expects to deliver a profit before tax for 2025 in line with the current market consensus of around 331 million British Pounds.
"Our continued strong trading momentum, including a record peak trading period, reflects the strength of our business model and the excellent execution of our strategic initiatives by our highly engaged and well incentivised teams," Chief Executive Andrew Livingston said in a statement.
The company noted that growth in kitchens was achieved across all price levels, benefiting from new product launches.