Halfords Group PLC (LSE:HFD), the UK motoring and cycling retailer and garage operator, posted a strong first-half trading performance driven by seasonal demand.
Like-for-like sales rose 7.1% across the group in the 26 weeks to 2 October, reinforcing an earlier upgrade to its full-year profit outlook announced on 27 August.
The retail division, which accounts for approximately 60% of group revenue, delivered like-for-like sales growth of 7.7% over the period.
Motoring like-for-like sales climbed 7.3%, while cycling sales advanced 8.3%, both benefiting from strong consumer appetite for seasonal products during the summer months.
The Autocentres garage business, which contributes around 40% of total revenue, grew like-for-like sales by 6.1%, excluding the group’s software subsidiary Avayler.
Halfords continues to expect underlying profit before tax of between £55 million and £65 million for the 2026-27 financial year.
The company flagged that underlying profit before tax is expected to be weighted towards the first half, reflecting the strength of trading during the period and accelerated investment in marketing and technology in the second half.
Chief executive Henry Birch said the business had benefited from good execution of its strategic priorities and strong sales of seasonal categories, adding that it was moving into the second half with confidence.
Halfords operates a substantial UK network, comprising 367 stores, 497 consumer garages, and 91 commercial fleet locations, alongside approximately 250 mobile service vans.
Avayler, the group’s software arm, sells technology solutions developed internally to clients across the United States and Australia, broadening Halfords’ commercial reach beyond its traditional retail base.
The company is scheduled to publish its interim results on 26 November 2026, which will provide further detail on performance and strategic progress.
Investors will be watching closely to see whether the momentum built during the warm-weather trading period can be sustained as conditions shift through the colder second half.
