LONDON (Reuters) – British home improvement retailer Wickes said demand from trade customers remained “buoyant” as it reported year-to-date sales significantly up on pre-pandemic levels. Wickes, which demerged from Travis Perkins last April, said on a three-year basis, which compares with the pre-COVID period, total group sales were 22.4% ahead over the 20 weeks to May 21. It said group like-for-like sales were down 0.6% year-on-year and reaffirmed its full-year guidance. (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Jan Harvey)