Firm also making progress on cost reduction work following £49m loss last year 

travis perkins

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Travis Perkins has reported a like-for-like sales growth of 10.6% in its merchanting arm despite operating in an “uncertain market”.

The products firm saw total sales growth of 5.4%, with Toolstation seeing a 19.1% increase in like-for-like sales.

The merchant, which racked up a £49m loss from a £6.7bn turnover last year, made little reference to margins or profitability in the trading update.

But John Carter, who stands down as chief executive in August, said the group was “making good progress on cost reduction activities”.

And he added: “This performance is all the more encouraging given the impact of the ongoing political uncertainty on our end markets.”

Carter will stay at the firm until the end of 2019 to ensure continuity, but from the summer former Atkins president Nick Roberts will be at the helm.