Howden Joinery Group has reported a 3.7% increase in underlying group revenue in its latest trading update for the first four periods of 2026, covering the 16 weeks to 18 April 2026, driven by growth across both UK and European markets.

The performance from the UK kitchen and joinery supplier reflects continued trading resilience across the construction supply chain, despite ongoing cost pressures and uneven demand conditions in residential and commercial sectors.

In its trading update, Howden Joinery reported UK sales growth of 3.5%, supported by stable demand from trade customers including local builders and contractors.

On a same-depot basis, UK and group-wide sales rose 2.8%, indicating underlying stability in core trading performance despite a challenging macroeconomic backdrop.

The company noted that two fewer trading days compared with the same period in 2025 reduced revenue by approximately £11 million.

Howden Joinery also highlighted pricing activity at the start of the year across all regions, as it continued to balance margin management with competitive market conditions.

The business operates more than 890 depots in the UK, alongside a growing international presence in France, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland.

International expansion outperforms UK trading performance

International sales were a standout performer, increasing by 9.1% year-on-year, reflecting continued expansion and demand across European operations.

The company said this growth continued to support overall group performance, particularly as UK trading conditions remained more subdued.

A company statement said: “Overall, underlying Group sales were 3.7% ahead of the prior year and 2.8% ahead on a same depot basis.”

Construction supply chain continues to navigate cost and demand volatility

The update reflects wider trends across the construction materials and merchanting sector, where businesses are continuing to manage inflationary pressures, fluctuating project pipelines and selective demand from housing and commercial development markets.

Despite these conditions, Howden Joinery’s latest figures indicate steady trading momentum supported by its depot network and trade-focused business model.