The rush to beat January’s VAT increase has boosted sales at DIY chain Wickes, according to its owner Travis Perkins.
The Northampton-based company said its sales were up more than four per cent on the same peried last year and put the increase down to shoppers making purchases before the cut-off date of January 4.
On that day the sales tax is due to be increased from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent. Learn more here.
The merchant has also reported strong sales of bathrooms, kitchens and building supplies during 2010 – perhaps because improving rather than moving has been the order of the day.