Likewise Group on Tuesday told investors that it now expects full-year profit before tax to be materially ahead of current market expectations, with underlying profit before tax of at least £6 million for the year ending 31 December.
The AIM-listed flooring distributor said group revenue rose 36.7% in October, pushing year-to-date growth to 22.8% against the same period last year, with all seven of its trading businesses contributing to the acceleration: Likewise Floors, Delta, A&A, H&V, Lewis Abbott, Likewise Rugs & Matting and Valley Wholesale Carpets.
The upgrade builds on guidance given at the company's interim results in September, when it said full-year underlying profit before tax would come in at not less than £5.0 million, itself an upgrade from £3.1 million in 2025.
It comes as the company is progressing integration of assets bought out of the Headlam Group and HFD administrations for £14.9 million plus VAT in October, funded entirely from existing cash resources.
Asset integration
Likewise has now completed the freehold purchase of the 90,000 sq ft Thatcham distribution hub, funded from cash resources following its July placing, taking its freehold property portfolio to eight sites valued at £56 million against £11 million of fixed debt.
Deliveries into Thatcham began on 22 October to build stock levels, with the hub set to become a key part of the Likewise Floors logistics network across southern England during November, also improving service in Newport, Birmingham, Sudbury, Plymouth and Sidcup.
Concept Flooring Supplies in West Bromwich and Stoke-on-Trent has rebuilt stock and is nearly back to normal service, while Crucial Trading has placed fresh stock orders with key suppliers; the board expects both to be earnings enhancing in the 2027 financial year.
Read more about Likewise
- 07/10/26Likewise Group buys Headlam assets to become UK's largest flooring distributor
- 28/09/26Likewise Group sees profit ahead of forecasts
- 17/06/26Likewise Group revenue up 17% year to date with expansion projects on track
The group plans to add 16 delivery trucks to reach 192 by the end of the year, with further increases planned in the first and second quarters of 2027.
Looking ahead to "exciting year"
"2027 will be a particularly exciting year in our history as we endeavour to maximise all the opportunities before us in the UK flooring market," said chief executive Tony Brewer, adding that the board welcomes staff joining from Headlam and thanked its 738 employees.
The board said 2027 trading is difficult to predict but expects the acquisition and existing business trajectory to move the group rapidly toward its next target of £300 million in annual sales revenue.