Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive March 2021

Wilko launches the UK high-street's first face mask recycling scheme 30 March 2021

A sustainable single-use facemask recycling scheme is set to launch in 150 Wilko stores across the country. Customers doing their essential shopping will be able to bring their used disposable masks and safely place them in the collection bins at ...


Have you submitted your entry? 28 March 2021

If you're an incredible manufacturer or retailer operating in the DIY, home improvement and garden sector and want to get your well-deserved moment in the spotlight - now is the time to put yourself in the running at the DIY Week Awards 2021. The ...


Wren Kitchens crowned Kitchen of the Year 2021 26 March 2021

A Wren Kitchens design has been crowned Kitchen of the Year 2021 by Britain’s best-selling homes magazine Ideal Home, showcasing the very best in design, materials and craftsmanship.Wren Kitchens’ stunning Infinity Plus Shaker kitchen in Jade and ...


Homebase powers up its garden range with the introduction of Powerbase 26 March 2021

Homebase will be expanding its garden power range with the launch of Powerbase this spring. Designed to make gardening easier, Powerbase is user friendly, catering to all gardeners whether novice or more experienced. With 31 lines, from lawn mowers ...


Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021 raises £35,000 with the total still rising! 26 March 2021

Turning 10 is not a celebration to be missed and despite the challenges that we currently face there is no question that Garden Re-Leaf’s 10th anniversary was celebrated in style. Here we look back on some of the amazing FUNdraising events which ...


John Lewis Partnership plans not to reopen eight John Lewis shops from lockdown as it rebalances store estate 24 March 2021

The John Lewis Partnership has today announced that it is not planning to reopen eight of its 42 John Lewis shops from lockdown, as it rebalances its store estate to reflect how customers want to shop.The Partnership also confirmed plans to transfer ...


Travis Perkins launches app for customers to shop and manage accounts on the go 23 March 2021

Travis Perkins, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of building materials to the building and construction industry, has launched an industry first mobile app for customers. This can be downloaded from any Google Play or Apple App store and will ...


Kingfisher announces final results for year ending 31 January 2021 22 March 2021

Kingfisher, the international home improvement company, has announced its final results for the year ended 31 January 2021.The Group results include a 6.8% in sales in constant currency, driven by strong trading from Q2 and reduced disruption. E-...


Groundwork starts on £6bn North London regen scheme 18 March 2021

Construction of roads, bridges, cycle lanes, water, gas and communications to service the 10,000 homes set to be built at Meridian Water in Edmonton will start later this month. Enfield council has entered a framework agreement with Vinci Taylor ...


Is your home secure? Five ways smart devices can add extra protection 18 March 2021

With recent research predicting that there will be over 482 million smart homes in the market worldwide1 by 2025, there is no doubt that home automation is certainly on the rise. This is due, at least in part, to the multitude of benefits that home ...


Azpects adds Robert Dyas to retail roll 17 March 2021

Azpects has announced the signing of a new agreement with high street retailer Robert Dyas to offer Azpects’ products on its website.Azpects is a specialist in developing and manufacturing products for creating and maintaining outdoor hard ...


Toolstation launches new catalogue with over 750 new products for trades and DIYer’s 17 March 2021

Toolstation, one of Britain’s fastest growing suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies has launched a new catalogue, offering over 750 new lines across top branded products, available in store and online. From painting and decorating, ...


Eighth Global DIY-Summit postponed 16 March 2021

Following the continued spread of the Covid-19 outbreak around the world, the high number of infections that persist, as well as the delays seen in the distribution of the vaccines, the event organisers have taken the difficult decision to postpone ...


Screwfix planning more than 50 new stores this year, creating around 600 jobs 15 March 2021

Screwfix plans to open more than 50 stores this year, creating around 600 new jobs in communities across the UK and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Of the new stores 40 will be in the UK, creating up to 500 new jobs, with the remaining 10 stores ...


Toolstation launches “Tools and More” brand strategy with sharp TV spot 15 March 2021

Toolstation, one of Britain’s fastest growing suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies, launches its new Tools and More brand strategy with a sharp TV spot, which aired for the first time on Saturday, 13 March. The brand strategy, ...


Consumer spending fell 13.8 per cent in February as lockdown continued, yet some sectors saw record growth 12 March 2021

Data from Barclaycard, which sees nearly half of the nation’s credit and debit card transactions, reveals that spending on essential items grew 5.3 per cent. Boosted by food and drink specialist stores – including butchers, greengrocers, fresh food ...


FIS launches new fairness inclusivity and respect toolkit to mark Women in Construction Week 11 March 2021

To mark Women in Construction Week and International Women’s Day 2021, FIS has launched a new Fairness, Inclusivity and Respect (FIR) Toolkit - to support members in their focus on fairness, inclusivity and respect in their workforce. The FIS FIR ...


Wickes first ever female installation apprentices start new cohort on IWD 11 March 2021

With the announcement earlier in the year of Wickes’ new Installation Apprenticeship scheme, we are pleased to announce that two female apprentices have joined the cohort that started yesterday. Fitting that it was March 8th, International Women’s’ ...


FIS signs Building a Safer Future Charter 10 March 2021

Finishes and Interiors Sector has signed the Building a Safer Future Charter. The Charter is designed to encourage a proactive response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s Building a Safer Future Review in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.The Charter was ...


Kingfisher announces the signing of a franchise agreement with the Al-Futtaim Group to expand B&Q in the Middle East 9 March 2021

Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement retailer, today announces the signing of a franchise agreement with the Al-Futtaim Group to expand B&Q in the Middle East, with a first step being the opening of B&Q franchised stores in ...


BHETA to hold Q&A session on international freight issues 9 March 2021

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is to hold a question and answer session on the current issues for international freight - including BREXIT implications - currently faced by many home improvement and home enhancement companies....


110 years after International Women’s Day began – gender diversity is still a serious issue in the construction industry 8 March 2021

Despite campaigning for gender parity for more than 100 years, the latest research shows that 68% of managers within the construction industry believe their sector still struggles with a lack of gender diversity. The research, which comes from multi-...


ToughBuilt reminds customers of new sales and ordering arrangements 8 March 2021

ToughBuilt Industries is reminding customers of new arrangements for ordering its technically advanced, intelligently designed products which came into effect on 1st March 2021. After this date, builders’ merchants, retailers and other stockists ...


RAK Ceramics scores Premier League status with high profile sponsorship deal 8 March 2021

Football fans tuning into watch their teams battle it out in the world’s top leagues this spring are being met with a familiar kbb name on pitch-side advertising hoardings, as RAK Ceramics embarks on a high-profile brand visibility campaign. The RAK ...


Action required to prevent legionella issues as water quality deteriorates 8 March 2021

As England gradually comes out of national lockdown, Tom O'Sullivan, Head of Operations at Guardian Water Treatment urges facilities managers and building maintenance teams to prioritise legionella prevention and water system maintenance to stop the ...


Average FTB mortgage deposit now just £10,536 8 March 2021

In last week’s Budget, the government announced a guarantee to lenders offering mortgages to homebuyers with just a 5% deposit requirement up to the sum of £600,000. Research by lettings and estate agent, Barrows and Forrester, has looked at what ...


More events confirmed for Garden Re-Leaf day 2021 8 March 2021

With Garden Re-Leaf Day approaching ever quicker, teams and businesses from across the garden retail sector and beyond are busy making plans for the forthcoming Garden Re-Leaf Day on March 19th. With the event turning 10 this year teams are going ...


Hultafors Group completes the acquisition of Fristads, Kansas and Leijona Workwear 8 March 2021

The Hultafors Group has completed the acquisition of the Fristads, Kansas and Leijona protective wear brands following approval by the relevant competition authorities. Peter Dumigan, managing director of the Hultafors Group UK, says: "All three ...


Leading bathroom retailer lands double award! 8 March 2021

In a year full of unique challenges for business across the UK, leading bathroom retailer Plumbworld is helping stem the tide of retail woe and is continuing to go from strength to strength. As well as enjoying significant growth during 2020, the ...


Pandemic inspires and helps to finance renovations 5 March 2021

Houzz, the leading platform for home renovation and design, has released findings from a recent survey* of its community of homeowners to find out how the coronavirus pandemic impacted their home improvement projects. The survey of more than 3,700 ...


Scottish businesses and key personalities unite in call for garden centres to be re-opened 5 March 2021

Representatives from Scotland’s horticulture sector have joined together to call for garden centres to be reopened before the end of March. 18 high profile organisations, businesses and individuals have put their signatures to an open letter to the ...


Engaging three million new gardeners and being kind to our planet: key themes at the 2021 Virtual Garden Press Event 4 March 2021

One of the biggest trade events in the gardening calendar, The Garden Press Event, has taken place virtually for the first time in its 16-year history. For some members of the sector, The Garden Press Event in 2020 may have been the last time they ...


Apprenticeships and housing support welcome, but lack of green homes plan harms recovery, says FMB  3 March 2021

The Chancellor presents a mixed picture for Britain’s builders, with the glaring omission of a long-term plan to make our homes greener, but welcome extensions to coronavirus recovery support, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response ...


AkzoNobel completes acquisition of Titan Paints in Spain 3 March 2021

AkzoNobel has completed the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Industrias Titan S.A.U. (Titan Paints), strengthening its paints business and footprint in Spain to become one of the market references in the region. The transaction includes three ...


Dave Elliott of Homebase to speak at BHETA webinar 1 March 2021

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is to hold another of its popular webinars, this time featuring Dave Elliott, Homebase Commercial and Marketing Director. The event takes place on 17th March at 11am and follows on from a ...


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Latest reader comments

re: Latest update on Green Homes Grant and implications for homeowners and landlords

John Hart
After applying for a green homes how long will it take for a decision? thanks...

re: SX Rainproof Exterior Caulk

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re: BCT can replicate any material in a ceramic tile

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re: Latest update on Green Homes Grant and implications for homeowners and landlords

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