News Archive August 2014
Totally shows has sold nearly 60% of space
28 August 2014
Organisers confirm that the 2015 Totally Shows have already sold nearly 60% of their exhibition space to new and returning exhibitors.
Terra Firma in talks to sell Wyevale
28 August 2014
Private equity firm Terra Firma Capital Partners is considering selling Wyevale, formerly the Garden Centre Group, just two years after buying the business, it has been reported today.
'Refocused' Woodie's boosts Grafton's half year
27 August 2014
Grafton Group, the builders merchanting and DIY business, achieved higher sales and profit in the six months to June 30 2014, helped by an improved performance from the Irish Woodie's DIY.
Argos launches multi-million pound campaign for new homeware brand
26 August 2014
Argos has unveiled Heart of House, its first homewares and furniture own brand, with a multi-million pound campaign, kicking off with TV advertising yesterday, Bank Holiday Monday, and running across press, digital, social and PR.
Great British Bake Off sends bakeware sales soaring
26 August 2014
The new series of The Great British Bake Off is sending sales of baking equipment soaring as home bakers try to recreate the popular television show's creations.
Harrogate Christmas & Gift almost fully booked
26 August 2014
Companies in the gift industry, particularly those in festive and garden sectors, are already gearing up for Harrogate Christmas & Gift, with the show reporting very little space left for the January 2015 event.
United Housewares Merchants wound up
26 August 2014
Housewares and DIY products wholesaler United Housewares Merchants has been wound up.
Axe hangs over Homebase St Austell
26 August 2014
Homebase's St Austell branch is the latest to join the growing list of the retailers' stores earmarked for closure.
Record turnout at GCA regional meetings
26 August 2014
The Garden Centre Association (GCA) says efforts to improve turnout at its regional meetings is paying off.
Olympia Tools hits the road
26 August 2014
Tool firm Olympia is launching a new mobile showroom, which will tour the UK and Ireland to help the firm reach as many stockists as possible.
DIY skills 'fading with each new generation'
26 August 2014
DIY skills are dying out, according to new research, which shows confidence in undertaking many home improvement tasks is lowest among young people.
Hard landscaping sales storm ahead in July
26 August 2014
The strong garden centre sales of recent months continued into July, according to new figures from The Garden Centre Association (GCA).
Water-saving plumbing products set for continuing growth
26 August 2014
The market for water-saving plumbing products has enjoyed growth since 2013, following a flat period between 2009 and 2012.
Wilko reveals plans to open 100 stores in next five years
21 August 2014
General merchandise chain Wilko has unveiled plans to open 100 new stores in the UK within the next five years, as it posted its full-year results yesterday.
Hand it Over to Henkel: It could be you
21 August 2014
As the closing date for the handover project fast approaches, don't miss your chance to have leading adhesive and sealants firm Henkel help boost your sales.
Pets at Home pulls out of bid to takeover Fulham Palace Garden Centre site
20 August 2014
While the Prince's Trust-owned garden centre still faces closure on August 31, reports reveal that the pets superstore has dropped out of the race.
Wee bit of justice for B&Q's problem customer
19 August 2014
A teenager who urinated in a display toilet at a branch of B&Q has been ordered to apologise personally to the store's manager.
William Sinclair joins BHETA
18 August 2014
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has attracted another major garden brand in the form of William Sinclair Horticulture as its newest member
Fulham Palace Garden Centre site could become a Pets at Home outlet
18 August 2014
The south-London garden centre, currently owned by the Prince's Trust, faces closure at the end of this month, with the lease now up for sale and reports that Pets at Home is the frontrunner in acquiring the site.
Staff in consultation as Homebase considers closing Llandudno store
18 August 2014
Retail chain confirms that it is proposing to close the store on Mostyn Champneys Retail Park in Wales, putting close to 40 jobs at risk.
Mr Fothergill's raises more than £24,000 for Royal Hospital Chelsea through poppy sales
18 August 2014
Seed supplier donated 25p from the sale of every packet of its Victoria Cross poppy this spring to the Royal Hospital, raising much-needed funds for the home of the Chelsea pensioners.
Tool Shop celebrates opening of 11th store
18 August 2014
Building on the success of the company's already thriving 10 premises, Tool Shop has recently announced the opening of its 11th store on Upper Street, Islington.
Scotts Solus Brands announces first update since acquisition
18 August 2014
B&Q partnership boosts Valspar paint performance
14 August 2014
The Valspar Corporation's new partnership with B&Q has helped the American paint maker deliver better-than-expected results for its third quarter.
Retailers ramp up Christmas delivery capacity
14 August 2014
Retailers will find this Christmas more competitive than ever, with consumers finding that many have upped their game in terms of home deliveries.
Ironmongery Direct delivery times beat national average
14 August 2014
New figures from Ironmongery Direct show that it has a 98.5% delivery success rate for being on time, beating the national average.
Weber and Ted Baker link for summer fashion windows
13 August 2014
Barbecue supplier Weber has teamed up with international clothing brand Ted Baker to create a series of high-fashion window displays for its Ted's Dressed to Grill summer campaign.
Garden products online set to double by 2018
13 August 2014
The internet is now the fastest-growing distribution channel for garden products by far - and that online market will more than double by 2018.
Lords of Notting Hill expands with cookshop acquisition
12 August 2014
DIY and housewares retailer Lords of Notting Hill is adding to its London portfolio with the acquisition of the La Cuisinere cookshop in Northcote Road, Battersea SW11.
BHETA excels in trade association body's awards
12 August 2014
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has received a comprehensive endorsement in the Trade Association Forum's (TAF) Best Practice Awards.
LOFA helps out three charities
12 August 2014
Three charities are better off this year, thanks to recent donations from the Leisure & Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA).
150-year celebrations for Yorkshire garden centre
11 August 2014
Kershaw's Garden Centre in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, is chalking up an impressive century and a half of trading this year.
July boasts summer peak for retail
11 August 2014
The UK non-food retail market hit its summer peak in the last week of July, making it the second busiest shopping week of the year, as reflected in the latest footfall figures from Ipsos Retail Performance.
Screwfix contact centre recognised for excellence
11 August 2014
Screwfix's Yeovil contact centre has scooped two accolades in the South West Contact Centre Awards 2014.
BHETA recruits Parasene as member
11 August 2014
Parasene is the latest garden brand to join the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA).
Shop vacancies are at four-year low
11 August 2014
The number of empty shops in Britain remained stable in June - and at its lowest level since June 2010.
July saw record level of deflation in shop prices
7 August 2014
Overall shop prices saw deflation for the fifteenth consecutive month, accelerating to 1.9%, in July.
Fast-growing Tembé marks 10 years in business
7 August 2014
Doncaster-based supplier Tembé DIY and Building Products is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year.
One half of Wilkinson family sells 50% share to other half
6 August 2014
After 84 years in retail the Wilkinson family has split in two, with Karin Swann selling her 50% share to the remaining half of the family.
Expansion to warehouse for Bulk Hardware as company celebrates 40 years
6 August 2014
Bulk Hardware, a supplier of bulk packed and pre-packed hardware and DIY products, is celebrating its 40th year in business with an expansion to its warehouse.
DIY indies' Q2 sales hold up while others' fall
6 August 2014
The second quarter saw small DIY and hardware shops bucking the trend of dipping sales in independents generally.
Garden centre lease wrangle prompts sale of stock
5 August 2014
Morden Hall Garden Centre in Morden, Surrey, is holding a £1m sale of stock in readiness for possible closure.
Move in horticultural operations for B&Q could cause job losses
5 August 2014
B&Q is proposing to switch its horticultural operations from Coventry to Radlett in Hertfordshire, which could results in workers losing their jobs.
2015 Totally Shows to prioritise independents
5 August 2014
Independent retailers are being put at the top of the Totally Shows' priority list for 2015, following post 2014 show research, and a recent meeting with the events' advisory panel.
100 schools sign up for Stewart Garden initiative
5 August 2014
One hundred schools stretching from the Isle of Wight to Stirling participated in the Stewart Garden Schools Campaign with Pippa Greenwood 2014.
UPDATE: Turnaround investors pursue Homebase
4 August 2014
It has been reported that rival turnaround investors have begun working on acquisition plans following heightened speculation Home Retail Group is to sell Homebase.
Family-run garden centre secures £40,000 to go green
4 August 2014
A funding package worth £40,000 has been provided by Barclays to help Whitehall Garden Centre and Whitchurch Garden Centre expand on their green energy credentials.
Garden centres de-stock outdoor plants for winter
1 August 2014
A trend for garden centres to de-stock outdoor plants during the winter months has been noticed, as customers sway away from autumn planting.
Family-run Rodo opens new £4m state-of-the-art warehouse
1 August 2014
A new £4m state-of-the-art warehouse will help Rodo, the leading supplier of decorating accessories, workwear and personal protective equipment, with continued business growth.