News Archive March 2015
B&Q to shed 60 stores as ceo O'Byrne quits
31 March 2015
Around 60 B&Q stores in the UK and Ireland are to be closed over the next two years, parent Kingfisher said today as it released its full-year results.
Mary Portas joins BIRA High Street Conference line-up
31 March 2015
The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) says it will present an inspiring programme of speakers combining leaders from across the retail sphere at its High Street Conference next month.
Mr Bricolage derails Kingfisher acquisition
30 March 2015
Kingfisher's proposed acquisition of French DIY chain Mr Bricolage is off, the company confirmed today.
Fiskars campaign starts Easter weekend
30 March 2015
The Easter weekend will see the launch of Fiskars' spring TV, radio, print and online advertising campaign.
Consumers are already gearing up for DIY ahead of the Bank holiday
27 March 2015
According to Ebay, this weekend is the starting gun for Bank holiday spending and a huge opportunity for brands to grab share of wallet, as consumers shop online for DIY and entertainment items a week early.
Independent openings shrink to 0.3%
25 March 2015
The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) says growth in the number of independent shops is "becoming vanishingly slender", as new figures show openings continuing to fall.
Topps Tiles grows first-half sales by 6.4%
25 March 2015
Topps Tiles said today in a trading statement that business had been "encouraging" in its first half, delivering further growth in sales.
Wyevale Garden Centres' daffs raise charity funds
25 March 2015
With Wyevale Garden Centres (WGC) having already sold 100,000 fresh daffodils this month and donating a percentage of sales to Marie Curie's Great Daffodil Appeal, the charity is in line for a bumper handout.
Dulux invites public to vote for Colour Moment of the Year
24 March 2015
Dulux has today launched the shortlist for its third annual Let's Colour Awards, which celebrate the most innovative uses of colour across Britain's creative industries and events.
Kelkay app improves service to retailers
24 March 2015
Garden landscape supplier Kelkay has launched a new app designed to enhance its service to retailers.
Robomow secures new partnership with Maplin
24 March 2015
Robotic lawnmower company Robomow has announced a new partnership with the UK electricals retailer that will see its products stocked online and in store.
Mr Bricolage raises doubts about Kingfisher takeover
24 March 2015
Kingfisher's proposed acquisition of Mr Bricolage was thrown into doubt today after it emerged that board members and major shareholders of the French DIY chain have misgivings about the deal.
PetQuip Awards 2015 goes to Telford with PATS show
24 March 2015
The PetQuip association is staging its PetQuip Awards again this year, in association with this September's PATS show at its new venue in Telford.
Topps partners with Macmillan Cancer Support
23 March 2015
Topps Tiles has forged a new charity partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, pledging five years of fundraising for the national cancer charity.
George Osborne visits Travis Perkins distribution centre
23 March 2015
Travis Perkins celebrated the rollout of its new Range Centres with a visit to the Tilbury, Essex site from Chancellor George Osborne.
Next plans continued rollout of Home stores
23 March 2015
Next says it is looking to open at least eight more of its successful Home and Fashion stores over the next few years.
£3m handout for former Kingfisher chief Sir Ian Cheshire
23 March 2015
Sir Ian Cheshire is expected to receive payments of over £3m from B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher, of which he was until January this year chief executive.
Topps' TV campaign appeals to consumers' emotions
23 March 2015
This weekend saw the launch of a new TV advertising campaign from Topps Tiles, which is adopting a more brand-led approach to its marketing.
Threesixty Innovation relocates to larger premises
23 March 2015
Home and hardware products manufacturer Threesixty Innovation successfully relocated the business this month, moving from Nottinghamshire to Derbyshire and upsizing from 14,000sq ft premises to nearly 70,000sq ft.
Garden centre prepares to open £650,000 extension
23 March 2015
A North Yorkshire garden centre is looking forward to a boost in business as it prepares to open a new extension.
Award-winning Sugru bags listing in Wyevale
20 March 2015
The mouldable glue, which was named DIY Week's DIY Product of the Year last month, will be stocked in Wyevale garden centres across the UK from May.
Homebase names new managing director
19 March 2015
Homebase parent Home Retail Group has announced the appointment of Tesco's Echo Lu as managing director for Homebase, replacing Paul Loft.
Brintex will partner again on Screwfix Live
18 March 2015
Screwfix's third Screwfix Live trade and DIY show will once again be run in partnership with Totally Shows organiser Brintex.
Nursery donates plants and compost to help Beavers
18 March 2015
Twenty Beaver Scouts from Hereford are well on the way to achieving their Global Challenge Badge thanks to a donation from a plant nursery in the city.
Seeds and bulbs lead gardening's march into spring
17 March 2015
Seeds and bulbs were February's garden heroes, with sales in Garden Centre Association (GCA) outlets up 14% on the previous February.
GIMA reveals Day Conference speaker line-up
17 March 2015
The headline speakers at next month's Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) Day Conference include Julian Winfield and Conna Powles - Haskins Garden Centres ceo and buying director respectively, and Blue Diamond Group ceo Alan Roper.
Mica looks forward to a profitable Exchange
16 March 2015
The Mica Exchange will be celebrating its fifth year this weekend, when the Royal York Hotel in York will host Mica's conference.
Homebase ends the year up 2.3%, as Productivity Plan continues
12 March 2015
Home Retail Group announces full-year results, with Homebase up 2.3% on a like-for-like basis, as store closure programme continues and Argos reporting flat sales at 0.6%, whilst seeing growth online and enhancing its store portfolio.
Sabichi partners with Vicrila
12 March 2015
Leading homeware company Sabichi has announced a new collaboration with Spanish glass manufacturer Vicrila.
Bayer loses libel action over pesticide harm claims
12 March 2015
German chemical giant Bayer has failed in its attempt to sue Friends of the Earth Germany over the organisation's claims that thiacloprid, a pesticide manufactured by Bayer, harms bees.
HTA announces enhanced Catering Conference for 2015
12 March 2015
As garden centre catering continues to be an extremely important aspect of many garden retail businesses, the HTA has revealed that this year's Catering Conference, sponsored by Vision Commercial Kitchens, will be a two day event, complete with a conference dinner and exhibition.
Bayer "regrets" repeal of injunction against Friends of the Earth
12 March 2015
German chemical giant Bayer CropScience said it regrets the decision by the Dusselfdorf Regional Court to revoke an injunction previously imposed against the German branch of Friends of the Earth.
Topps Tiles supports apprenticeships
11 March 2015
In this, National Apprenticeship Week (March 9-13), Topps Tiles says it is continuing its support for the initiative, with 119 people enrolled on apprenticeships across its 340-strong store network.
Bonnington Plastics to host free intellectual property seminar
11 March 2015
Bonnington Plastics, the wholesaler of Kingfisher garden and homewares products, is running a free seminar on protecting brands and intellectual property (IP).
Online growth marks 'fundamental shift' in garden products market
11 March 2015
The online garden products market is growing at twice the rate of the garden products market as a whole, and growth will strengthen further over the next four years.
Percy Thrower's garden centre reopens after redevelopment
11 March 2015
Wyevale Garden Centres' Percy Thrower's centre in Shrewsbury is poised for its relaunch tomorrow, following a £40m redevelopment.
Duck Tape and Frog Tape in biggest campaign yet
10 March 2015
Shurtape has launched a new TV campaign for Duck Tape and Frog Tape in the run-up to Easter - its biggest to date.
'Do it yourself' has become 'create it yourself', says Homebase
10 March 2015
The meaning of the term 'DIY' is in need of a makeover as it is too narrow for today's socially-connected, creative consumer, according to Homebase.
Roman invests in standards testing
9 March 2015
Shower designer and manufacturer Roman has completed a £50,000 revamp of its testing area, where it ensures all its products conform to the CE marking standards.
Garden centre restaurant is first phase of £3m project
9 March 2015
Wirral's Carr Farm Garden Centre has opened a new restaurant as the first phase in a £3m redevelopment backed by NatWest.
Homebase and Argos raise £2.8m for dementia
9 March 2015
Homebase and Argos's employees and customers have raised over £2.8m to support people living with dementia.
Ignore digital at your peril, high streets warned
9 March 2015
This month's Future High Street Summit in Nottingham is promising to open the eyes of delegates to the latest reports and programmes that will push town and city centres into the digital age.
Valspar creates city mural to celebrate UK launch
9 March 2015
To celebrate the launch of Valspar paint in the UK, the brand has created a piece of illusionary artwork on the side of a building in central London.
Retail Trust launches 2015 Retail Right programme
6 March 2015
Following its success last year, the employment course for young people has been launched again for 2015 by retail industry charity Retail Trust.
Argos Meet the Buyer hailed a success
5 March 2015
The latest in the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA)'s successful series of Meet The Buyer days - this time with major multi-channel retailer, Argos - was declared 'another great event' by those who took part.
Wickes and Toolstation deliver strong growth for Travis Perkins
4 March 2015
Travis Perkins' consumer division, comprising Wickes, Toolstation and Tile Giant, pushed total sales up 8.8% to £1,283m and like-for-likes up 6.7% in the year to December 31 2014.
HTA backs scheme to find the nation's 'happy' plants
4 March 2015
A unique public experiment to find out which plant makes the nation the most happy is being launched this week.
Glasgow's Crocket the Ironmonger to close down
4 March 2015
Long-established Glasgow store Crocket the Ironmonger, which has become something of a landmark in the city, has announced that it is shutting up shop.
B&Q Homefit endorsed by new Which? scheme
4 March 2015
B&Q Homefit is the first national installer and services provider to be endorsed by Which? Trusted Traders, a new scheme designed to give homeowners peace of mind by rigorously assessing traders.
Upcycling trend sends craft paint sales soaring
4 March 2015
Homebase has seen a 78% year-on-year increase in the sale of craft paint, thanks to the trend to upcycle furniture and give it a new lease of life.