Struggling DIY chain Wickes could be sold

By John-Paul Ford Rojas, business reporter
Builders' merchant Travis Perkins is to explore the future sale of struggling DIY brand Wickes as it seeks to focus on its core business.
Wickes has been hit by tough competition and higher costs amid a "challenging" consumer market and falling sales.
Travis Perkins set out plans for the chain as it said it was simplifying the wider group's structure and cutting costs as part of a strategy to focus on trade customers, which will initially see it divest its plumbing and heating division.