Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive April 2007

Rumour mill puts US diy chains top of bid list for Focus DIY 30 April 2007
North American retailers Home Depot and Lowes are believed to be likely bidders for troubled diy chain.

Cromford Garden Centre to close 30 April 2007
Owner says financial pressures and difficulty in securing planning permission forced sale

Market growth brings cheer for Plasti-kote 27 April 2007
Focus on colour in home and garden projects is a key contributor to market growth in the spray paint sector

Diy buyer at Home Hardware South West wins trip to Paris 27 April 2007
Paul Andrews jets off to Paris Fashion Week catwalk shows

New appointment for Mister Blister 27 April 2007
Manchester-based packaging specialist extends its customer service team

Home Hardware Southwest pays rebate to members 26 April 2007
Loyalty and commitment rewarded, says chairman

Lister Locks moves ahead with expansion programme 26 April 2007
Changes 'very well received,' says chief executive

More sponsors sign up for Industry Awards 26 April 2007
Five sponsors including Lakeland, the BBC, and Tenax have announced their backing of the Industry Awards.

Instore delays results 26 April 2007
Majority shareholder looks for buyer

UK homeowners seeking second property 25 April 2007
Buy-to-let seen as good alternative to pension plans

Logan Homecare closes its doors 25 April 2007
Internet and sheds force closure

Homebase puts environmental challenge to staff 25 April 2007
Stores to compete to become 'Green Store Champion 2007'

Homebase launches first ever trade card 24 April 2007
Trial to hit London and Midlands

Strong start to the year for Hozelock 24 April 2007
Watering equipment market leader sees sales 'exceed expectations'

B&Q joins forces with high street retailers to cut carbon footprint 23 April 2007
Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Sky front green campaign

Strong progress for Dobbies 23 April 2007
Sales and store developments blossom

Glee reveals changes for 2007 exhibition 20 April 2007
New publicity campaign to push 'Going Green' initiative

Rate rises now hitting customers, says BRC 20 April 2007
Sales volume growth still healthy but slowing

Walker Greenbank posts turnover increase 18 April 2007
A year of excellent progress with continued strong organic growth, says chairman

Trade picks up for Flying Brands 18 April 2007
Gifts and gardening turn in storng performances

Wyevale to trade under two names 18 April 2007
Wyevale and Blooms brands to remain

Liberal Democrats call for energy efficiency improvements to properties 17 April 2007
Homes lose energy too easily, says leader

Klondyke buys Holland Arms garden centre 17 April 2007
Acquisition takes the group's portfolio of centres to 23

Non-food boost for Tesco 17 April 2007
Sales grow twice as quickly as food

Sales slump at Debenhams 17 April 2007
Profits to come in below market expectations

Mister Blister backs Awards 16 April 2007
Leading packaging manufacturer sponsors compere

Industry Awards announces comedian 16 April 2007
The Industry Awards names comedian to lighten the mood at this year's event.

NWF opens Ashton Park 16 April 2007
Former Arthur Gent site re-furbished and re-stocked

Fire at Thatcham Garden Centre 13 April 2007
Blaze damages stock

Sunny spells and Easter boost March sales 13 April 2007
Home improvement goods fare well as consumers keep spending

Buckinghamshire town sees sales blossom over Easter 13 April 2007
High Wycombe's retailers report 69% increase

Green homes sway property buyers 12 April 2007
Research shows Britons are looking closely at environmentally-friendly features

Serving up summer sales, alfresco style 12 April 2007
UK consumers are now enjoying more than 110 million barbecue occasions a year

New UK sales director for Scotts' consumer gardening business 12 April 2007
Keith Boad has been appointed UK sales director

Get your act together, shareholder tells Woolworths management 11 April 2007
Baugur openly attacks retailer's refurbishment of stores

Easter boom for diy superstores 10 April 2007
10,900 sales per second and the best diy Easter since 2004

Shopper numbers rise in March 5 April 2007
Feel-good factor returning after winter hiberation

Homebase launches electronic decorating voucher 5 April 2007
A first on the market, says retailer

Laird Group waits for shareholder approval 5 April 2007
D-day approaches for security division

Wyevale to stop selling 'eco-unfriendly' lines 5 April 2007
Chain to start pushing green credentials

Webbs of Wychbold launches an online shop 4 April 2007
A natural extension of the Webbs brand, says chief executive

February shop price index shows fall 4 April 2007
DIY and Hardware index indicates prices 1.64% higher than in 2006

Green issues high on homebuyers' checklist 4 April 2007
Energy-efficient homes may mean a quick sale

York next for Dobbies 3 April 2007
Scottish chain continues march into England

Own-brand push for Woolworths 2 April 2007
Worth It range to include homewares

Easter worth £7.8bn to retailers 2 April 2007
BRC lists value of Bank Holiday spending

Advent Tools adds excitement 2 April 2007
Adding excitement to the 20th Industry Awards will be Birmingham-based Advent Tools.

ICI backs Industry Awards 2 April 2007
ICI Paints will be rolling out the welcome mat for this year’s Industry Awards.

Diy sector rebounds 2 April 2007
Initial signs of a revival in 2007 are positive

Kingfisher eyes India 2 April 2007
Initital conversations taking place for move into lucrative retail market

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