The overall UK tool distribution market is highly fragmented and consists of a variety of products distributed through a very broad range of distribution channels for end-use in both domestic and non-domestic sectors. The distribution... Read entry

Conventional wisdom has it that when you buy a business, you conduct a SWOT analysis. You find out what the business’s strengths and weaknesses are, and you set about building on the former and eliminating the latter. It’s not terribly... Read entry

Come December 24, the majority of shoppers across the UK will have headed indoors for the festivities, hung their stockings on the mantelpiece and put their feet up. But, while Christmas shopping draws to a close, this doesn’t mean... Read entry

America’s ‘Black Friday’ concept has now well and truly infiltrated the UK marketplace. After years of creeping across the Atlantic, Black Friday and its little brother Cyber Monday are now major events for shoppers with retailers with more ... Read entry

From Halloween, through to Christmas and New Year, navigating the numerous shopping peaks the busy final quarter of the year presents can be tough for any retailer. But, for those in the home and garden sector, the festive season is about so much ... Read entry

Halloween was once considered to be reserved just for the kids; an evening of donning ghoulish h o m e m a d e costumes, playing low-cost party games and collecting sweet treats from willing neighbours. But, in recent years, it has grown... Read entry

Sitting in the coffee shop of a small independent garden centre in the midlands, I found myself counting tables and chairs. Sad, I know, but bear with me – there’s a point to be made here. As a generalisation, garden centre coffee shop customers... Read entry

Christmas was fast approaching. The town's shops were glitzed up to the roof tiles, some of them even had trees with decorations. The grocer had sourced some mistletoe, with an offer that for every £10 spent you got to kiss one of his young female... Read entry

In 1979, as an ex- bank cashier turned shop assistant, with increased hours and reduced pay, Graham Higson felt the only prospects he had were of sliding into terminal poverty. With pretty much non-existent practical skills, he described himself as... Read entry

Quick recap: in 1979 I gave up my job in banking to take control of my life and went into retailing, where at times it felt like I’d lost it completely. The boss’s reputation for not suffering fools gladly was well-deserved, as he reminded me on a... Read entry