Akzo Nobel reported its Q1 figures, reporting revenue as flat in a seasonally low quarter; up 1% in constant currencies, with positive price/mix offset by 7% lower volumes; acquisitions contributed 1%. Adjusted operating income was up by 9% at €163 ...

The carpet and floorcoverings retailer announced LFL sales in its UK operations were up “significantly” in Q4, as customer confidence in the business started to return following the group’s restructuring last year.In the financial update for the 12 ...

As Sainsbury’s accuses CMA of taking £1billion out of customers’ pockets by blocking the deal, Asda and its parent firm, Walmart said they were “right to explore merger” with fellow UK grocery chain, Sainsbury’s, adding that its main aim was to ...

The start of spring saw sales in outdoor plants soar at garden centres across the country, the Garden Centre Association reported. During March, outdoor plant sales were up 90.85% compared to the same month the previous year, in 2018, according to ...

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ruled today that the proposed merger cannot go ahead, as UK shoppers would be “worse off” due to reduced competition in the market, with expected price hikes and a drop in quality. But Sainsbury’s ...

Local florist Petal & Stem – run by a former Squire’s employee – has set up shop in a prime position just inside the entrance of Squire’s Garden Centre in Badshot Lea.Customers will now be able to buy bouquets of cut flowers at the centre ...

Welsh retailer, Leekes Retail and Leisure Group has been awarded Medium/Large Finance Team of the Year in the second annual Finance Awards Wales.The family-run independent business was presented with the accolade during a ceremony held at Cardiff’s ...

The hot and sunny weather has had a hugely positive result for retail destinations this weekend, with an increase in footfall of +6.5% on Friday, +1.2% on Saturday and +8.4% by 12pm on Easter Monday. This is a clear contrast to Easter 2018, when ...

Today’s ONS retail sales figures revealed that online spending continues to rise. The percentage of online purchases has risen by 8.0% in March 2019 in comparison to March 2018.The sector has witnessed tremendous growth the results report, with ...

In a bid to further grow its commercial business, Topps has paid £3.3million for 80% of the issued share capital of Strata Tiles Ltd, a supplier of tiles to the commercial market ...

Sergio Bucher is reportedly planning to step down from his role at the department store chain within the next few days, following the appointment of administrators and the suspension of shares, announced last week.The de-listing of shares, announced ...

Wickes, the home improvement retailer, has today launched its first ever digital out of home and radio roadblock campaign to capture the attention of consumers during the busiest period of the year for DIY.Devised by out-of-home (OOH) and location ...

The market continues to see growth, as millennials’ passion for pampering pets fuels demand for fashionable, luxurious accessories. Even in turbulent economic times, Brits are putting pets’ wellbeing before their own – and that’s music to the ears of ...

Crown Paints recently welcomed MP for Rossendale and Darwen Jake Berry and chief secretary to the Treasury, Liz Truss MP, to its UK headquarters in Darwen, Lancashire, to take a tour of the paint manufacturing facility and attend a Q&A session ...

Wyevale Garden Centres has announced an update to its Garden Club loyalty scheme, which will see the collection of loyalty points replaced with an instant discount every time members shop.The changes, which have been introduced in time for the ...

Home improvement and garden retailer appears on more solid footing, as it delivers 21.8% jump in gross profit and £100million cost savings, as turnaround programme is in full swing, with store closures, rent reductions and re-introduction of ...

The Woodland Trust has partnered with UK biochar supplier Carbon Gold to support the charity’s tree planting and preservation activities across the UK.The announcement will see 10p from the sale of each of Carbon Gold’s biochar planting aids and ...

Figures released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has shown footfall has increased in March, at 1.4%, compared to the previous year when it fell by 6.0%. On a three-month basis, footfall dropped by 0.3%. The six and twelve–month averages are ...

Family-owned garden centre group, Notcutts Garden Centres, has hosted its annual conference and awards dinner to celebrate the success of colleagues and teams across its 18 garden centres nationwide. Hosted on March 20 in Maldon, Essex, the ...

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA)’s most recent ‘Meet the Buyer’ day, with Toolstation, took place this month and proved beneficial for the manufacturer and distributor companies who attended. With the Toolstation buying team, ...

Despite 5.8% drop in total sales for the week, against strong figures last year due to the early Easter, sales picked up at the weekend, as customers took advantage of newly-launch Easter promotions.Home sales were down 3.9% for the week but gifts, ...

Akzo Nobel’s state-of-the art training facility celebrated its third anniversary last month and DIY Week caught up with Academy lead Vickie Mather to talk about trends in the market and what plans are in the pipeline for the future ...

Wincanton has won the contract to provide a fully-managed customer order delivery service for Homebase. The deal involves the provision of carrier management, invoice validation and Drop Ship Vendor services, which are part of the logistic firm’s ...

Dobbies Garden Centres has announced the acquisition of a further 31 centres from Wyevale, following its deal last autumn to take on six sites, including Woodcote Green Garden Centre.The latest purchase increases the Dobbies estate to 69 centres, ...

Following the success of the North American paint brand’s first showroom in Chelsea, which opened in October 2017, Benjamin Moore has opened a second UK location, with a new, even larger showroom in Wilmslow, Cheshire.Situated in the centre of ...

House of Fraser and Sports Direct owner says situation is “tragedy” and was “totally unavoidable”, as Debenhams is placed in the hands of lenders in a pre-pack administration, wiping out his 30% stake in the department store chain.Angered that his ...

The department store chain has just announced the appointment of administrators, as it has fallen into the hands of its lenders, after much speculation in the press when it was revealed the business had refused Mike Ashley’s £150million rescue plan....

Stax Trade Centres in Manchester and Birmingham are set to play host to a visit by the RawlTruck roadshow, which recently set off on a major European tour.The roadshow celebrates 100 years of the Rawlplug brand, and it will be bringing a variety of ...

Despite the general increase in online sales, recent research by Van Vault has highlighted that tradespeople still prefer more traditional methods of buying equipment.In-vehicle secure storage supplier Van Vault says its research has unveiled ...

Gardeningexpress.co.uk sees increase in sales of fruit trees and unusual varieties, such as Japanese maples, fuelled by consumers’ desire for a more sustainable lifestyle, as well as something unique in the garden.The business, one of the UK’s ...

On March 27, representatives from the horticultural industry visited Viridor’s Plastics Recovery Facility in Rochester, Kent to find out more about the plastics recycling process and the demand for polypropylene for recycling.Attendees included ...

As the wrangle for control at Debenhams by House of Fraser and Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley continues following news that the department store chain has secured funds for its £200million refinancing plan, Moodys downgrades Debenhams credit rating....

Wyevale Garden Centres has announced today that two transactions for a total of six centres to garden centre groups Hillier Nurseries Limited and Otter Nurseries Limited.The four centres: Cheddar, Dorking, Marlow, Lechlade will be sold to Hillier ...

Getting ahead for the key spring season and Easter break, the garden care company has launched its latest advertising and multimedia marketing campaign, with four TV commercials designed to communicate the key messages and product benefits of the ...

The nursery and garden centre business showcased the design for this year’s famous flower show, with a new garden designer on board, new varieties, and upgraded systems in place to help make sure plants are at their best.Hillier opened its doors to ...

Despite uncertainty in the weeks leading up to a supposed Brexit, the retail job market has remained positive, with job vacancies, salaries and applications all seeing a rise last month.The report from UK independent job board, CV-Library, found ...

Tile specialist, Topps Tiles Plc, has announced a trading update for the 26 week period ending 30 March 2019.Total revenues for the 26 week period were £108.8 million, compared to last year in 2018 where it was at £109.4 million. Like-for-like ...

Greenfingers has said Garden Re-Leaf Day on 22 March was a success, as the garden industry and charity supporters came together to create a thriving day of activities and fundraising events. Whilst the final total is yet to be announced, it has been ...

European online marketplace Mano Mano has raised €110 million in a new funding round and has confirmed the company’s 2020 ambition of achieving €1 billion in sales. This series D fund raising sees new investors Eurazeo Growth, Aglae Ventures and ...

Austrian building solutions manufacturer Wienerberger has announced the acquisition of UK-based BPD Holdings Ltd for an undisclosed sum, to further expand its roof accessory offering and complement its existing roof product portfolio in the UK and ...

Staff at Wyevale Nurseries are being granted the sale and propagation licence for an award-winning Pyracantha.Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford will be growing Pyracantha ‘Red Star’, which was the winner of the Innovation Award in the category of woody ...

The value home and garden retailer will open the doors to its new Warrington store at Golden Square Shopping Centre, at 9am on Wednesday, April 10.Wilko signed the lease for the new 15,000sq ft store in February, closing the doors of its existing ...