News Archive October 2014
Robert Dyas Launches new £1m ad campaign for Christmas
31 October 2014
Robert Dyas is launching its first ever brand-building TV advertising campaign in the run-up to Christmas.
Job losses as Specialist Group outsources logistics to third party firm
30 October 2014
Former wholesaler and parent to Builders Brand and Specialist Brands, Specialist Group has confirmed today that changes to the way the company operates could see it almost halve its workforce.
Home Hardware stalwart Wesley Bowden dies
30 October 2014
Wesley Bowden, proprietor of Bowdens Home Hardware in Helston, Cornwall, passed away suddenly on Wednesday October 22 from a suspected heart attack.
Paul Loft to quit as Homebase chief
30 October 2014
Paul Loft is stepping down from his role as managing director of Homebase.
Homebase heads up BHETA's November DIY forum
29 October 2014
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association's (BHETA) next member forum will feature Homebase commercial director Paul Emslie.
Business-boosting opportunities at GIMA day conference
29 October 2014
The Garden Industry Manufacturers Association's (GIMA) upcoming day conference is designed to arm all attendees - members and non-members alike - with valuable business-boosting advice and inspiration.
55% of online DIY shoppers compare prices
29 October 2014
A little over half of online shoppers compare prices before buying DIY and hardware products, according to new research from shopping and price comparison website giveasyoulive.com.
People 'lack confidence to tackle DIY jobs'
29 October 2014
Householders who believe they are a dab hand at DIY are in the minority, according to a recent survey by Topps Tiles.
Restructuring programme sees Wilko staff face the axe
29 October 2014
Value retailer Wilko is warning that there could be job losses at the company, which has just entered into a period of consultation with staff.
La Hacienda takes on Artevasi pots distributorship
28 October 2014
Outdoor living products supplier La Hacienda has added Artevasi pots to its range following a new distribution agreement with the Portuguese manufacturer.
Lords of Notting Hill plans St Johns Wood opening
27 October 2014
Fast-expanding housewares and home essentials retailer Lords of Notting Hill has revealed that its next store opening will be in London's super-expensive St Johns Wood area.
Hard landscaping sales paved the way in September
27 October 2014
September's continued dry weather saw garden centre customers investing in improving their outdoor spaces, according to the latest figures from the Garden Centre Association (GCA).
Blue Diamond takes two Trelawney centres, Wyevale the third
27 October 2014
Blue Diamond is buying two of West Country company Trelawney's garden centre businesses, and diyweek.net understands that Wyevale is taking over the third.
Bord na Móna invests in former peat bog visitor centre
27 October 2014
Bord na Móna (BNM) UK's parent company has opened a new €1.5m visitor facility in the 3,000 hectare Lough Boora Parklands, Co Offaly.
FrogTape leaps onto TV screens in makeover show
27 October 2014
Shurtape's FrogTape will be given extensive TV exposure this winter, when it features on ITV's prime-time home show, 60 Second Makeover.
Number of lights in average home doubles in a decade
27 October 2014
The number of lights in the home has leapt from just 15 light sources in 2004 to over 30 today as people add more spotlights, wall lights, pendants and lamps to their homes.
Eastbourne hardware shop to re-open six months after fire
23 October 2014
Easy new way to promote Garden Re-Leaf Day events
23 October 2014
A new website has been launched that will allow garden centres to publicise their Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day events to customers, local and national press and a much wider audience via social media.
Grow-your-own boom bears fruit at Homebase
23 October 2014
Grow-your-own is back in favour, with fruit trees one of the main beneficiaries, according to Homebase.
BHETA welcomes Talking Tables
22 October 2014
Design-led party accessories company Talking Tables has joined the British Home Enhancement Trade Associaton (BHETA).
Safety spouts now legal requirement for petrol cans
22 October 2014
Flashback-proof pouring spouts are now a legal requirement for petrol containers following a change in UK petrol can regulations from October 1.
Which? slams failing online delivery fulfilment
22 October 2014
Which? has launched a Stamp Out Dodgy Deliveries campaign following research showing that one in four online shoppers have had a problem with a delivery in the past 12 months.
Homebase to close 80 more stores
22 October 2014
Homebase will shed 80 more of its stores over the next three years, parent Home Retail Group (HRG) said today as it released its results for the 26 weeks to August 30 2014.
Big names show support for DIY Week Awards
22 October 2014
A host of leading industry names have lined up to sponsor the 2015 DIY Week Awards and help create another winning industry event, which will once again raise funds for DIY Week's charity partner the Rainy Day Trust.
Deadline extended for DIY Week Awards entries
22 October 2014
It's not too late to enter your product or business for the DIY Week Awards 2015 and be in with a chance of taking home Gold.
Christmasworld reveals more about Premium Business Programme
20 October 2014
Christmasworld announces more best-practice examples, prominent guests and highlights in the Premium Business Programme at the 2015 event in January.
Wyevale Garden Centres doubles festive offer to woo 12m shoppers
20 October 2014
The UK's largest garden centre group, Wyevale Garden Centres, says it is expecting to attract a record 12m Christmas shoppers between now and the big day.
Kingfisher joins global sustainability coalition
16 October 2014
B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher has joined a coalition of some of the world's biggest companies that aims to drive conversation and action on sustainability via a website,
www.collectively.org.
Screwfix is expanding into the Republic of Ireland with the launch of a dedicated website,
www.screwfix.ie.
Sales of Halloween products are expected to grow even further this year - and in-store spookiness has the added benefit of driving footfall.
Take a winning photo of autumn leaves
15 October 2014
Garden equipment supplier Billy Goat has launched an Autumn Leaves competition to encourage gardeners to get creative with their fallen leaves and win a prize.
BHETA signs up coffee specialist Melitta
15 October 2014
Coffee machine specialist Melitta is the latest name to join the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA).
DIY Week Awards retailer judging panel revealed
15 October 2014
The judging panel for the retailer categories of the 2015 DIY Week Awards has been announced, with well-known industry figures and past winners.
National spares distributor joins BHETA
14 October 2014
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has a new member in HSCL, which supplies accessories, consumables and spare parts for domestic appliances and catering equipment.
Miracle-Gro grass moustaches will involve kids in Movember
14 October 2014
Scotts Miracle-Gro has launched a new initiative to get children involved in the annual Movember event that raises awareness of men's health.
Mark Pearson quits Scotts Solus Brands in management shake-up
14 October 2014
The Scotts Company (UK) has announced that Mark Pearson, chief executive officer of the Scotts Solus Brands division, is to leave the company.
Forest Garden invests in new manufacturing facilities
13 October 2014
To meet fencing panel demand, Forest Garden has invested in additional sawmill and treatment facilities in mid-Wales, potentially doubling its output in the region.
Independent numbers still growing in high streets
13 October 2014
New figures today from The Local Data Company (LDC) and British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) show that traditional independent shops and leisure outlets continue to increase in Britain's town centres whilst the chains continue to retreat.
John Lewis report reveals changing shopping habits
13 October 2014
Shoppers have been spending more on sleep products in the last year - yet, ironically, significantly more people are shopping in the middle of the night.
Homebase reveals Design & Decorating Academy students
13 October 2014
Following on from the success of its Garden Academy, which is now in its second year, Homebase has launched a new programme that aims to get more young people interested in careers in interior design and decorating.
B&Q spends £60m on relaunched website
13 October 2014
B&Q has spent more than £60m on a relaunch of its website, which it says is the most comprehensively stocked and most functionally advanced of its kind in the UK.
Extra £100m made available under Green Deal
9 October 2014
Households across the UK can still apply for money to help them fit new boilers, double glazing and insulation, after it was revealed that funding would be extended.
Omnichannel retailers 'are getting it wrong on delivery options'
9 October 2014
Online retailers provide delivery options shoppers don't want - and don't offer the ones they do.
Lords of Notting Hill acquires Andrews of Hampstead
9 October 2014
London hardware store Andrews of Hampstead, which has been serving its local neighbourhood for over 36 years, has been taken over by fast-expanding housewares and home essentials retailer, Lords of Notting Hill.
Last chance to book for HTA Garden Futures conference
9 October 2014
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is giving people a last chance to book one of the few remaining places at next week's HTA Garden Futures dinner and conference.
Darlac enjoys record-breaking growth
8 October 2014
Garden tools and accessories company Darlac says it has had another record-breaking start to its financial year, with trade sales up by 49% in the first five months of trading.
BHETA and GIMA link for Wyevale Meet the Buyer
8 October 2014
Supplier members of two of the industry's leading trade associations are being given the chance to have head-to-head meetings with buyers from Wyevale Garden Centres.
RKW stocks up on vacuum cleaners to beat power ban
8 October 2014
Wholesaler RKW says it has bought up "massive stocks" of high-powered vacuum cleaners to beat the ban imposed by the EU.
BCF in Brussels delegation over chemical rules
8 October 2014
British Coatings Federation (BCF) chief executive officer Tom Bowtell, Dr Michelle Ledward from Graham & Brown and MP Jack Straw have been to Brussels to argue their case for using certain chemicals.
New DreamBone website hounded with enquiries
8 October 2014
Following the launch of a dedicated website for its new dog treat DreamBone, UK pet food brand Webbox has reportedly received over 5000 sample requests in just seven hours.
Topps Tiles picks Phil Spencer for TV campaign
8 October 2014
Phil Spencer, the co-host of television's Location Location Location property series, is fronting a new television advertising campaign by Topps Tiles.
New press event to launch for house and home sector
8 October 2014
Media Events, organiser of the successful annual Garden Press Event, has announced the launch of The Home Enhancement Press Event, set to take place next July.
Hillier launches new gardening club
7 October 2014
Hillier Garden Centres launched its brand new revamped gardening club at the end of last month
Rainy Day Trust launches telephone helpline service
6 October 2014
Home improvement industry charity The Rainy Day Trust has launched a telephone helpline service for people in the industry.
Garden centre owner dies after discovering break-in
6 October 2014
John Watkinson, who owned Hillview Garden Centre and Hillside Tea Rooms in Thurlaston, had a heart attack and died last month as he investigated a burglary at the centre he set up almost 40 years ago.
DIY Week Awards product judging panel revealed
2 October 2014
The judging panel for the product categories of the 2015 DIY Week Awards has been announced, boasting buyers from top UK retailers.
Totally shows to present fresh talent with Innovation Zone
2 October 2014
With sponsorship and support from the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) the Totally DIY and Totally Tools shows are introducing a new Innovation Zone for 2015.
Dragons' Den fixing sales soar at IronmongeryDirect
1 October 2014
Television's Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden and 19-year old inventor Jordan Daykin have a huge success on their hands, according to figures released by IronmongeryDirect.
Waitrose is first supermarket to launch pet website
1 October 2014
Waitrose has today become the first supermarket to go live with a website dedicated to pet products.