News Archive May 2015
B&Q sales drop, while Screwfix flourishes in Q1
28 May 2015
Kingfisher's latest results reveal a 1.5% decline at B&Q in the UK & Ireland, as Screwfix posts an increase of 26.8% for the quarter, boosted by new openings.
HTA Catering Conference - last chance for early bird rate
28 May 2015
There's just a couple of days left to benefit from the early bird rate for the HTA's Catering Conference and Dinner - Catering Matters.
Gardman tool brands set to top £5m in first year
28 May 2015
Sales of Gardman's re-launched and re-branded garden tools have soared since they were unveiled at Glee last year, says the company.
BHETA members meet six buyers from The Range
27 May 2015
DIY, garden and housewares members of the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) enjoyed 68 appointments with buyers from The Range at the association's latest Meet the Buyer event.
Barbecues and furniture boost garden centres' April
27 May 2015
Barbecues and furniture were the big winners at garden centres across the country during April.
Why bad news for Dickie was good news for Mackays
27 May 2015
Neil Mackay, the owner of Cambridge hardware shop Mackays, is adept at turning adversity into advertising gold - as he was able to prove yet again when disaster struck in April.
First Argos stores open in Sainsbury's supermarkets
27 May 2015
Argos reveals the first locations for its digital concessions in Sainsbury's stores are North Cheam in Surrey and Nantwich, Cheshire - both opening today.
Monkton Elm boosts business and staff with new restaurant
27 May 2015
Family-run Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre near Taunton is celebrating the opening of its new Elm Tree restaurant - which has seen the business take on 10 more members of staff.
Sugru invites crowd-funding to drive world expansion
27 May 2015
The world's first mouldable glue, Sugru, is from today inviting the public to become shareholders with a crowd-funding campaign expected to raise £1m to support its global expansion.
Gardenex/PetQuip set next date for Meet the Buyer
27 May 2015
Key overseas buyers of garden and pet products will meet British suppliers at the next Gardenex and PetQuip Meet the Buyers event.
DIY spend reaches six-year high
26 May 2015
Spending on DIY increased by 10% last year - taking it to its highest level since 2008, according to new research by Lloyds Bank.
Leekes stores add £4m of sales in full year
26 May 2015
A robust performance by the retail division of Leekes Retail & Leisure Group helped deliver a strong set of results for the year to March 2015.
Good weather drives profits up at Klondyke
26 May 2015
Last year's better weather helped Klondyke garden centres dramatically increase pre-tax profits.
DIY indies triumph in Which? survey of favourite shops
26 May 2015
DIY and decorating independents are now amongst the very best shops in the country, coming third in a major new survey by Which?
PetQuip Business Village comes to Glee 2015
26 May 2015
With 70% of UK garden centres featuring a dedicated pet section, and this number growing year on year, Glee is boosting its profile in the petcare sector with the introduction of a PetQuip Business Village.
UPDATE: Scotts to sell Solus brands
22 May 2015
The Scotts Company (UK) general manager Sheila Hill says buying the Solus business and own brands was not the wisest investment but that the addition of birdcare brand Chapelwood will make Scotts a stronger business.
Napoleon reports strong start to the year
22 May 2015
Napoleon Grills has reported that its 2015 sales to date have exceeded all expectations, with revenue by the end of the first week in May already ahead of its total sales figure for 2014.
Centurion Europe opens new showroom
21 May 2015
Centurion Europe's brand new showroom was declared 'open for business' recently when British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) home improvement sector director Peter Stone officially cut the ribbon at the leading wholesaler and distributor's newest facility.
Hayes Garden World launches national kids competition
20 May 2015
Cumbrian garden centre Hayes Garden World is inviting entries from primary schools across the UK for its new Schools Art competition.
Smart Garden Products acquires Outside-in clocks
20 May 2015
Smart Garden Products has acquired the supplier of home and garden clocks, Outside-in Designs.
Town & Country donates over £2,000 to Greenfingers
20 May 2015
Town & Country has returned to the Chelsea Flower Show for its 23rd consecutive visit this year - and taken the opportunity to announce the final tally of its fundraising efforts for Greenfingers on Garden Re-Leaf Day 2015.
Scotts Solus brand cull will leave only ChapelWood
20 May 2015
Scotts Solus Brands is ditching all the brands bar one that it bought from wholesaler Solus last year, saying they are "not core".
Industry names bag Gold at Chelsea
20 May 2015
The wet weather didn't dampen the spirits of leading names in the DIY and garden industry at Chelsea this week, as the likes of Homebase, Bord na Mona and Hillier took home Gold for their show gardens and exhibits at the famous flower show.
Topps boosts market share in first half
19 May 2015
Topps Tiles confirmed today that it had grown ahead of the tile market in the first half of its year, increasing total sales by 6.4% to £104.0m, and with like-for-like sales ahead by 5.3%.
Homebase custom wallpaper offers room with a view
18 May 2015
Homebase has launched a new custom wallpaper service that centres on a favourite photo or picture provided by the customer.
Topps combines formats for new Knutsford store
18 May 2015
Topps Tiles has unveiled a new-format store that combines elements of its original large outlets and its growing chain of high street boutique stores.
GIMA buying group will offer 35% cost savings
18 May 2015
The Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) says its new buying group offers unique new benefits for members, helping to bring better access to vital services and business.
Norbord scoops Jewson's top supplier accolade
18 May 2015
Norbord, one of the world's leading manufacturers of engineered wood-based panels, has been awarded the prestigious title of Jewson Supplier of the Year 2014, as voted by over 600 branch managers throughout the UK.
DIY superstore sued over hot tub deaths
18 May 2015
A DIY chain is being sued over the deaths of three people who contracted Legionnaires' Disease from a hot tub in the showroom of one of its stores.
Tesco to close last six Homeplus stores
15 May 2015
Grocer Tesco has announced that it plans to close its six remaining Homeplus outlets, putting up to 450 jobs at risk.
Toolbank celebrates record numbers at its shows
13 May 2015
Toolbank branches have reported record attendance at the last three regional trade shows of the 2015 spring season.
Catering Design Group partners Glee catering zone
13 May 2015
To boost content and catering inspiration, Catering Design Group (CDG) has come on board again as the exclusive partner of Glee's Food & Catering Zone this year.
Bromsgrove independent puts on women's DIY event
13 May 2015
A Worcestershire hardware independent is expecting a high turnout for an event it is running this month especially for women.
Polyseam puts Graft range on TV
12 May 2015
With two Bank Holiday weekends this month, and people expected to get going on their DIY projects, Polyseam is running a TV advertising campaign.
Easter and sunshine boost DIY in April
12 May 2015
DIY was one of the top two beneficiaries of a strong upturn in consumer spending in April, according to the latest report from the Visa Europe UK Expenditure Index.
Joiner wins van at DeWalt battery event
12 May 2015
An independent carpenter and joiner from Chessington, Surrey is the owner of a new Vauxhall Vivaro van, courtesy of DeWalt.
Irish chain Woodie's sees modest growth
12 May 2015
Irish DIY retail chain Woodie's enjoyed modest revenue growth in the first four months of this year, parent Grafton Group revealed today.
Tong Garden Centre's new owners promise big investment
11 May 2015
A garden centre near Bradford is looking for a dramatic increase in turnover following its sale by the owner.
New base for G Plants supports further expansion
11 May 2015
G Plants, the supplier of seeds, bulbs, garden ornaments and giftware, has moved into a new 50,000sq ft facility, comprising office space, warehousing and showroom.
Builder wins Toolstation's prize draw pick-up
11 May 2015
A builder from Stoke-on-Trent has won a new Ford Ranger pick-up truck worth £29,599 in Toolstation's Winter Bonanza prize draw.
GIMA boosts membership further
11 May 2015
The Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) has signed up 11 more members since the beginning of the year - adding to the 20 companies that joined last year.
Northumberland garden centre will expand clothing offer
11 May 2015
A Northumberland garden centre has been given the go-ahead to expand its offer of clothing and footwear.
Jeyes launches new ad campaign
7 May 2015
Jeyes has launched a new radio campaign this month in a bid to encourage Brits to get outside and enjoy their outdoor spaces this summer.
Stax to open sixth branch this year
7 May 2015
Wholesaler Stax Trade Centres announced at its supplier conference yesterday that it has invested £5m into opening a sixth branch in Glasgow at the end of August.
UK hand tool manufacturer Richard Carter celebrates 275 years
6 May 2015
To mark its 275th anniversary - making it the second oldest family-run firm in Yorkshire - hand tool manufacturer Richard Carter is announcing significant growth plans.
Halls Greenhouses is best greenhouse brand
6 May 2015
Halls Greenhouses has been declared Best Greenhouse/Polytunnel brand in Grow Your Own magazine's Great British Growing Awards.
Paul Broadhurst to host GIMA golf day
5 May 2015
UK golfer Paul Broadhurst is to host this year's GIMA golf day, joining players on the course and acting as compere for the prize giving and auction in the evening.
Kelkay announces £1m investment in business
5 May 2015
Aggregates manufacturer and distributer Kelkay will invest over £1m in new machinery and the addition of two new sales executives in a bid to continue to grow sales and market share.
Tower of London poppies take Dulux colour accolade
5 May 2015
The Dulux Let's Colour Awards has crowned Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red - last year's poppy installation at the Tower of London - as Britain's Colour Moment of the Year.
Eden Halls greenhouse range judged Best New Product
5 May 2015
Eden Halls Greenhouses' new Eden range of greenhouses has been declared Best New Product at the Gardenia Garden and Landscape Fair in Poland, beating 250 other entrants.
Kingfisher donates £25,000 to Nepal earthquake relief
5 May 2015
B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher has donated £25,000 to UNICEF UK to support the aid effort for children following the recent earthquake in Nepal.
Election is major concern for DIY independents
5 May 2015
Thursday's general election is currently at the forefront of independents' minds, reveals new research from the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA).
Silverline to be official tool supplier to Red Bull race
5 May 2015
Somerset-based manufacturer Silverline has been appointed official tool supplier to the Red Bull Soapbox Race this summer.