Wow! 800 people, nine days, 969 miles, over 56,000ft of climbs, a new cycling language, three countries, 13 counties, beautiful scenery, over 8000 calories burned a day, 19 refueling pits stops, an unchecked diet of jelly babies, chocolate bars, peanuts, crisps, sausage rolls - and to cap it all, weight loss thrown in for free!... Read entry

By their nature, products in DIY stores are functional and have a specific job to do. Ambiguous usage isn't the name of the game here.... Read entry

British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), DIY and garden sector director Peter Stone discusses the key to successful export opportunities for suppliers.... Read entry

British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), DIY sector director Peter Stone discusses the hotly-debated issue of bricks vs clicks and what opportunities are available for brands to explore... Read entry

If you blinked, you may have missed it but, sorry folks, Christmas has been and gone. Our DIY shop had a good run over Christmas and takings were up 33% on the previous year's December. Our yard becomes increasingly stuffed with Christmas trees that are sold to wide-eyed children and ever-paying parents. ... Read entry

Ensure you grab every chance to boost those sales, urges Garden Centre Association chief executive Iain Wylie.... Read entry

Some time ago I bought a sandwich shop and later sold it on to two businessmen, who ran it for a few years. Then one day a letter turned up from a firm of solicitors to tell me that the men had done a bunk and I was liable for the rent arrears of about £5,000 and that I would continue to be liable until the end of the lease.... Read entry

At a time when around 10% of retail sales are now made online, the world of retailing has irreversibly moved on, but many retailers continue to be frustrated by the outmoded taxes and regulations from a bygone era.... Read entry

'With mixed feelings' are probably the best words to describe the way suppliers used to anticipate crucial meetings with a multiple buyer.... Read entry

Shooting from the Hip is written by a number of different people in the DIY, hardware and garden market. Writing anonymously, they share their day-to-day experiences and, writing anonymously, are able to air any frustrations regardless of commercial considersations.... Read entry