News Archive August 2015
Poundland given green light for 99p Stores acquisition
27 August 2015
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared Poundland's proposed £55m takeover of the 250-strong 99p Stores chain.
Toolstation continues expansion with 200th branch
26 August 2015
Currently one of the fastest-growing suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies to the trade and home improvement industry, Toolstation has opened its 200th branch since its launch in 2003.
Non-gardening categories soared in July
25 August 2015
Clothing and food halls/farm shops were on the up during July, according to the Garden Centre Association's Barometer of Trade (BoT) results.
Gordon Rigg Garden Centres celebrates 70 years
24 August 2015
The Northern garden centre, with operations in Todmorden and Rochdale, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this month.
Stax has overwhelming response to new Glasgow superstore
24 August 2015
Wholesaler Stax Trade Centres has been inundated with applications to work at its new £5m branch, which has promised to create more than 100 jobs.
US home improvement giants report strong Q2
24 August 2015
The Home Depot and Lowe's posted sales increases of more than 4% for the second quarter, with profits also up.
Home categories top performers in July
20 August 2015
Furniture, home accessories and house textiles formed three of the top four performing categories in the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for July, with sales boosted by a robust housing market.
Dorchester garden centre comes to aid of local hospital radio
20 August 2015
Poundbury Gardens, part of the Gardens Group, has donated a new computer to Ridgeway Radio, a volunteer-run 24-hour radio station based at Dorset County Hospital.
BIRA bank celebrates 60 years of business
20 August 2015
The UKs only trade association bank, BIRA bank will celebrate 60 years of supporting independent retailers this September, coinciding with record levels of lending to independent retailers.
Ikea announces transition to 100% LED bulb range by September
20 August 2015
Ikea plans to become the first major global retailer to offer a fully LED lighting range when the brand's LED roll out completes next month.
GCA members achieve record-breaking standards
19 August 2015
A record number of members received highly-commended awards and awards of merit after the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) annual inspections.
Parasene announces multi-million pound expansion
19 August 2015
Family-run manufacturer of garden and hardware products, Parasene, is set to invest £2.2m in expanding its operations in the West Mildlands.
Eliza Tinsley moves warehousing to larger premises
19 August 2015
Having outgrown its warehousing and distribution facilities in Wednesbury, hardware distributor Eliza Tinsley has relocated most of its products to a 120,000sq ft state-of-the-art facility in Brighouse, well placed for the motorway network.
Glee Buyers Power List 2015: shortlist revealed
17 August 2015
Glee has released the shortlist of names in its inaugural Buyers Power List, set up to recognise the individual garden retail buyers and buying teams who have gone above and beyond this year.
Deal with wild bird body gives Gardman stockists the edge
17 August 2015
Wild bird care market leader Gardman has signed a five-year partnership deal with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), renewing a relationship that stretches back almost 20 years.
International buyers lined up for next Gardenex event
17 August 2015
The latest opportunity to meet with influential buyers from across Europe is now open to manufacturers of gardening and pet care products.
BHETA reveals plans for Meet the Buyer day with Wickes
14 August 2015
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has teamed up with new retail partner Wickes to host another of its successful Meet The Buyer days and has also gained iconic housewares brand KitchenAid as its newest member.
Amazon extends one-hour delivery to Birmingham
13 August 2015
Online retail giant Amazon has announced that it has extended its Prime Now service to Birmingham and selected postcodes in surrounding areas.
Global Garden Solutions acquired
12 August 2015
Cheshire business partners Duncan Pratt-Thompson and Richard Greenhill have this month acquired Global Garden Solutions Ltd (GGS), a leading supplier of premium resin garden storage and furniture.
Barbecues are gardeners' most-wanted items
12 August 2015
A 'souped-up' barbecue is top of consumers' garden wish list, according to new research by multi-media retailer QVC, with 38% saying they would like to own one.
New offer, new look for Alton Home Hardware
11 August 2015
A Hampshire hardware independent recently enjoyed a re-launch to celebrate an expansion and makeover of its offer and an impressive new shop layout.
Four new DIY brands join BHETA
10 August 2015
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has welcomed four new home improvement brands as members.
Home Hardware pays more than £160k to members
7 August 2015
Home Hardware Southwest Ltd has recently paid £163,000 to its members in the form of dividends and rebates.
Wildlife World makes TV debut
6 August 2015
Nature specialists, Wildlife World, has supplied its range of habitats, feeders and other products to Channel 4's surprise make-over show, 'Love Your Garden' as well as the brand new four-part series 'The Autistic Gardener'.
Tileflair expands with new branch in Swindon
5 August 2015
Bristol-based independent ceramic tile supplier, Tileflair, has announced the opening of its new branch in Swindon.
Good first-half progress for Wickes and Toolstation
5 August 2015
The Wickes transformation plan and good growth at both Toolstation and Tile Giant contributed to continued above-market growth in parent Travis Perkins' (TP) consumer division in the first half.
Doff Portland grows garden presence with Lorbex acquisition
5 August 2015
Doff Portland is boosting its presence in the garden care category with the acquisition of Lorbex.
HTA urges retailers to speak up on Sunday Trading
5 August 2015
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is encouraging members to respond to the Government consultation on Sunday trading reforms which have been launched today.
Armstead Trade paint offers footballer Bullard for a day
4 August 2015
Armstead Trade paint has recruited former footballer - and decorator - Jimmy Bullard for a competition that will see one decorating firm win the chance to sign him for a day.
Homebase announces departure of two directors
4 August 2015
Retail operations director Graham Heald and marketing director Jo Kenrick will leave the retail business in coming months.
RDT charity shoot attracts top retailers and leading suppliers
4 August 2015
The Rainy Day Trust celebrated another successful charity shoot on Thursday, July 2 at the Royal Berkshire Shooting School.
Shock closure for two Home Hardware stores
4 August 2015
Two sister hardware stores in the West Country have abruptly closed their doors for the last time this week.
Friends of the Earth takes legal steps over UK pesticide use
3 August 2015
Friends of the Earth has taken the first formal legal steps over the Government's decision to permit the use of bee-harming pesticides in England despite a Europe-wide ban.
What More commits to Living Wage
3 August 2015
British manufacturer What More UK has given employees an immediate pay rise - ahead of the introduction of a compulsory National Living Wage in April 2016.
RGB opens new Decorating Centre in Barnstaple
3 August 2015
Mayor of Barnstaple Councillor Valerie Elkins has officially opened RGB Building Supplies' new Decorating Centre at its Barnstaple branch.
DIY indies rack up seventh quarter of growth - just
3 August 2015
DIY independents managed only 1.0% year-on-year sales growth in the second quarter of this year - but the figure nevertheless means that the sector enjoyed its seventh consecutive quarter of growth.