Wickes Leamington Spa

Key Facts

Client: Wickes
Sector: Home improvement retail
System installed: Pallet racking, WURD (Wickes Utility Racking Display) racking, cantilever racking and shelving

Having searched for the right location for more than a decade, Leamington Spa represented one of Wickes’ highest priority expansion opportunities in the UK. The retailer secured a purpose-built 35,485 sq ft unit at Spa Park to create a new full-line branch serving both Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa.

Originally constructed as a warehouse with office accommodation, the building required planning permission to change its use to a retail destination. The conversion involved significant alterations to the building, including the removal of internal staircases and walls, reducing the number of vehicle access doors and reconfiguring the internal layout to create a customer-focused retail environment.

The challenge

The completed store comprises 24,635 sq ft of core retail sales space, incorporating Wickes’ extensive ranges of Building & Timber, Garden & Outdoor, Decorating & Interiors, Hardware & Joinery, and Tools & Electrical, together with paint mixing facilities. Complementing the core retail offer is a 5,110 sq ft kitchen and bathroom showroom, while 4,170 sq ft of warehouse space accommodates Click & Collect operations and secure storage for high-value products. A further 1,570 sq ft is dedicated to office accommodation. This carefully planned layout enables Wickes to offer customers a comprehensive home improvement destination while maintaining excellent product availability and supporting efficient replenishment across every department.

As a long-standing supplier to Wickes for more than 30 years, Polypal Retail Storage Systems was once again selected to deliver the storage and display infrastructure required for the new branch. The installation needed to support both the customer-facing retail environment and the back-of-house warehouse operation, maximising storage capacity while maintaining an attractive and easy-to-shop store layout.

The approach

Working closely with the Wickes project team throughout the building conversion, Polypal Retail Storage Systems designed, supplied and installed a complete storage solution comprising pallet racking, WURD (Wickes Utility Racking Display) racking, cantilever racking and shelving.

The installation was configured to support both the customer-facing retail environment and the 4,170 sq ft (approximately 387 sq m) back-of-house warehouse, ensuring efficient stock handling, replenishment and product availability across the store.

Within the warehouse, high-capacity pallet racking provides organised reserve storage, enabling bulk stock to be stored safely and accessed quickly for replenishment. Across the sales floor, pallet racking is also incorporated above selected merchandising bays, providing additional bulk storage directly over product displays. This allows high-volume product lines to be replenished efficiently while maximising selling space and reducing the need for frequent stock movements from the warehouse.

WURD racking forms the core merchandising system throughout the store, delivering the strength and flexibility required for Wickes’ extensive range of DIY and building products while maintaining a consistent store format across the estate. Cantilever racking was installed for the safe storage and display of long and oversized products such as timber, mouldings, sheet materials and pipework, while shelving systems provide flexible merchandising for smaller products and accessories.

The completed fit-out supports the store’s comprehensive retail offer, including a 5,110 sq ft kitchen and bathroom showroom, paint mixing facilities, garden product displays within the core sales area. By combining customer-facing merchandising systems with robust bulk storage solutions, Polypal delivered a fit-out that maximises stock availability, supports efficient store operations and provides an intuitive shopping experience for customers.

The outcome

The completed Leamington Spa branch provides customers with a bright, spacious and easy-to-navigate retail environment that reflects Wickes’ latest store concept. Efficient storage systems and well-organised product displays improve stock accessibility for colleagues while helping customers quickly locate products across every department.

The project reinforces the long-standing partnership between Wickes and Polypal Retail Storage Systems, demonstrating the value of proven collaboration in delivering successful retail developments. With high-quality racking and shelving systems supporting one of Wickes’ most strategically important new locations, the Leamington Spa store is well positioned to serve the local community for many years to come.

As Wickes continues investing in new branches and modernising existing stores across the UK, Polypal remains a trusted partner, providing robust retail storage solutions that enhance operational efficiency, maximise product presentation and create an outstanding customer experience.

Storage systems supplied

• Warehouse pallet racking – reserve stock storage.
• Sales floor pallet racking – bulk stock storage above displays.
• WURD racking – Wickes’ standard merchandising/display system.
• Cantilever racking – long and awkward products such as timber, mouldings and pipework.
• Shelving – smaller DIY products and accessories.