Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive February 2008

Wyevale buys Heighley Gate Garden Centre 29 February 2008
Wyevale Garden Centres has continued its march into the north east of England with the acquisition of one of the North East’s leading garden centre businesses.

Screwfix counters - now 100 strong 29 February 2008
Screwfix has opened its 100th Trade Counter.

British Craft Trade Fair to host creative designs for the great outdoors 28 February 2008
Exhibitors at this year’s British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) will display stunning creations designed for the garden such as beautiful garden furniture, stunning sculptures, ceramic planters and colourful glassware.

Birmingham sees most home moves in 2007 28 February 2008
Figures released by Recently Moved has identified where the most home moves took place in the UK in 2007.

Bring me sunshine 28 February 2008
Provisional figures released today by the Met Office show that the UK has recorded the sunniest February since the UK-wide record began in 1929.

Decco Ipswich opens its doors to praise 28 February 2008
After making a significant investment in a new gardening warehouse with more than 1,200 pallet spaces, Decco Ipswich opened its doors to customers with an Open Day and Supplier Exhibition at the end of January.

Half-year profit rise at Dunelm 27 February 2008
Homewares retailer trading as Dunlem Mill sees stores generate 24% increase to £27.2 million.

B&Q wins hearts and minds of environmentally conscious shoppers 27 February 2008
Exclusive Times survey finds diy retailer top of the class in its sector on green and social issues.

B&Q merchandising director at BHETA meeting 23 February 2008
Keynote speaker at the next BHETA DIY Sector meeting will be Mederic Payne, merchandising director of B&Q.

Retail sales jump in January 21 February 2008
Office of National Statistics reports steady growth driven by food and household goods.

B&Q sees lfl sales dip in ‘challenging’ market 21 February 2008
B&Q saw its like-for-like (lfl) sales dip 1.7% in a ‘challenging’ fourth quarter.

Bayer Garden asserts its market position 21 February 2008
Brands to front marketing and media programme.

Glee 2008 website goes live 21 February 2008
Glee has unveiled a new look for 2008 with the launch of GleeBirmingham.com.

Plasti-kote reports growing interest in ‘ease-of-use’ products 19 February 2008
The latest GfK figures reveal that Plasti-kote drove a 12% volume growth and increased its market share to 77% by the end of 2007.

Unilever's John Jackson to speak at profiting from garden retail event 19 February 2008
John Jackson, e-business manager at Unilever Foods UK, will be sharing his extensive knowledge and expertise with delegates at next week's Profiting from Garden Retail event organised by the HTA.

Grow-your-own boost for North East garden centre 19 February 2008
Cowell's Garden Centre in Woolsington near Newcastle Airport says home-grown vegetables are in demand as people's lifestyles continue to embrace healthier living.

Garden centre speaker for Housewares Conference 15 February 2008
With DIY and garden retailers constantly evolving and adapting their businesses, many have looked to housewares as a way of diversifying and capturing more consumer spend. To this end, The Housewares Conference is thrilled to be able to address the subject head on at this year's conference.

Richardson to chair HTA Council 15 February 2008
Andrew Richardson, of Johnson’s of Whixley, is to be the chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Council.

Industry Awards deadline extended 15 February 2008
The Industry Awards has extended the deadline for entries to its 2008 awards to Thursday 21, February.

Bayer Garden ‘We can help campaign’ takes to the road 12 February 2008
Bayer Garden is teaming up with gardening expert Chris Holden for a series of in-store staff training days at garden centres across the country.

Bank’s rate cut decision welcomed 7 February 2008
The Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates today has been welcomed by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Homebase to review advertising business 7 February 2008
Diy and garden retailer looks at changing its current media partner.

DIY & Garden Show/Totally Tools wins exhibitor and visitor praise 7 February 2008
Glowing reviews for DIY & Garden Show and Totally Tools

Slow start to year for NWF garden centres 5 February 2008
Interim results for NWF Group have shown a difficult trading period for the the diversified sales and distribution business, which operates six garden centres.

Shoppers still favour DIY 5 February 2008
Diy and garden market remains one of the largest in the UK durables sector.

Two new sponsors for Industry Awards 4 February 2008
Mica and DHL Exel Supply Chain on board for 2008 event

Travis Perkins spends £20m on new branches 4 February 2008
Travis Perkins has spent £20m in the first five weeks of 2008 opening 13 new branches – including four new Wickes stores.

Industry Awards 2008: DON'T MISS OUT! 4 February 2008
Still time to get your entries in!

Black & Decker cuts jobs in north east 4 February 2008
Black & Decker has announced plans to cut 169 jobs at its factory in Spennymoor, County Durham.

Branch closures at Floors-2-Go 1 February 2008
Flooring specialist today announces 90 redundancies

UPDATE: Floors-2-Go releases statement 1 February 2008
Chief executive confirms staff cuts due to ‘difficult’ few months

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