News Archive September 2015
Screwfix has Supply Chain Team of the Year
30 September 2015
Screwfix is celebrating after being awarded the title of Supply Chain Team of the Year at the Retail Week Supply Chain Awards 2015 this month.
Kingfisher backs campaign to stamp out illegal timber
30 September 2015
Kingfisher is one of over 60 other timber-related businesses and seven trade federations urging the European Commission to get tougher over illegal timber sourcing.
Record full-year turnover for Topps Tiles
30 September 2015
Topps Tiles predicts record-breaking full-year revenue and continued growth in market share, it said today in a trading update.
Scotland and N Ireland winners unveiled by GCA
29 September 2015
The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has revealed the winners of its Scotland and Northern Ireland area awards.
Grow-your-own develops a taste for the Med
29 September 2015
Gardeners who indulge in grow-your-own are increasingly looking to the Mediterranean for further challenges.
Great Western Buying Group signs up new members
29 September 2015
Two garden centres have this month joined seven others as part of the Great Western Buying Group.
Greenfingers parachute jump a success
29 September 2015
A team of daredevil supporters undertook a parachute jump for the garden charity to raise money for a garden at Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice in Sheffield.
Lily Bowl wins garden designers award
29 September 2015
The Lily Bowl from Urbis Design has been named as the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) Product of the Year 2015.
PPE brand Globus acquires Alpha Solway
28 September 2015
Globus (Shetland) is extending its presence in the personal protective equipment (PPE) industry with the acquisition of Alpha Solway.
Successful Glee attracts 98% of GCA members
28 September 2015
This month's Glee exhibition successfully built on its 2014 reinvention, attracting more retailers and a particularly high penetration of UK garden centres, the organisers have reported.
Premier Decorations is Home Hardware's Best Display Stand
28 September 2015
Last week's Home Hardware Autumn Trade Show in Northampton saw Premier Decorations take the title of Best Display Stand.
Scotts donates £10,000 to Scouts garden
28 September 2015
Thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Scotts Miracle-Gro, work has started to create a new Garden of Reflection from scratch for Crawley District Scouts.
Award for online garden furniture entrepreneur
28 September 2015
The founder of what is now a multi-million-pound online garden furniture business has been named Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Essex Business Excellence Awards 2015.
Paul Grinsell named as BHETA home improvement director
28 September 2015
It has been revealed that former Totally exhibition director Paul Grinsell will take up the role vacated by Peter Stone in August.
Travis Perkins helps transform local community centre
24 September 2015
Local volunteers and Travis Perkins plc transformed Northampton Community Centre in just 48 hours.
Klondyke plans multi-million pound investment
24 September 2015
Klondyke Group Ltd, which operates 24 garden centres across Scotland, Wales and the north of England is to invest millions of pounds in the business after securing a refinancing package.
Garden shoppers enjoyed outdoor living in August
22 September 2015
Furniture, barbecues and outdoor plants were the big sellers in garden centres during August.
New opportunities emerge in electrical wholesale market
21 September 2015
While 2015-16 is likely to be a difficult period for most Western European electrical wholesale markets, medium-term prospects are relatively optimistic, according to a new report.
The Pet Hut links with PDSA as 100th store opens
21 September 2015
Claiming to be the UK's fastest-growing pet retailer, The Pet Hut has celebrated a milestone with the opening of its 100th store.
Uuni 2 wood-fired oven is Glee Retailers' Choice
21 September 2015
Uuni's small, fast and affordable Uuni 2 wood-fired oven has walked away with the Retailers' Choice Award at this year's Glee.
Cherished Gold is Dulux 2016 Colour of the Year
21 September 2015
Dulux Trade has announced its 2016 Colour of the Year and released its key colour and design trend predictions for next year.
Green Digit SeedCell wins £5,000 GIMA prize
21 September 2015
Green Digit, inventor of the SeedCell grow-your-own concept, is the winner of the second Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) Innovator's Seed Corn Fund.
The HTA shows support for Sunday trading proposals
18 September 2015
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) set out its strong support for the Government's proposals to devolve power over Sunday trading rules, arguing that a relaxation of the rules would deliver significant economic benefits for garden centres and wider social benefits to families and hobby gardeners.
Top garden buying teams honoured at Glee
16 September 2015
Haskins, Gardensite.co.uk, Blue Diamond, Homebase and John Lewis were named as the winners of the inaugural Glee Buyers Power List at this week's show.
Kingfisher drives Screwfix half-year sales up 27.9%
15 September 2015
Sales at Screwfix continued to storm ahead in the half year to August 1 2015, parent Kingfisher said today.
Winners announced in Glee New Product Awards 2015
15 September 2015
Nine ground-breaking new garden products have triumphed in the Glee New Product Awards 2015, it was revealed at this week's show.
Thousands attend opening of Countrywide's 67th store
14 September 2015
Country goods chain Countrywide has opened its 67th store in the UK with the launch on Saturday of its latest outlet, in Shrewsbury.
Pent-up demand to benefit landscaping market
14 September 2015
The garden landscape materials market enjoyed strong growth in 2014 - up 7% - thanks to a mix of good weather, the improving economy and increased consumer confidence.
Phone issues are biggest customer service gripe
14 September 2015
Not being able to ring a call centre based in the UK is the nation's biggest customer service bugbear, according to new Which? research.
GIMA grows its membership
14 September 2015
The Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) has boosted its membership with 15 more newcomers from various sections of the garden retail market.
Sales surge at Next's newest Home stores
14 September 2015
Sales within Next's newest large-format Home & Fashion stores smashed their targets in the first half of the retailer's year.
Dulux initiative seeks top six decorators
14 September 2015
Dulux Trade has unveiled a new initiative, the Masters Series, to recognise outstanding decorating work amongst tradespeople.
Joseph Joseph bin awarded highest prize
14 September 2015
Kitchenware supplier Joseph Joseph's innovative waste and recycling bin, Totem, has taken a top award at the Maison & Objet homewares fair in Paris.
Homebase LFLs up 5.9% in Q2
10 September 2015
Despite continued store closures knocking Homebase's total sales for the quarter, like-for-like (LFL) figures were positive, boosted particularly by big-ticket lines.
Kidde Safety renews contract with XPO Logistics
10 September 2015
Fire safety products manufacturer Kidde Safety has renewed its national warehousing and distribution contract with XPO Logistics for a further two years.
Westland to remove green waste from Sinclair products
9 September 2015
Following a detailed review of raw material, quality and performance, Westland Horticulture says it will be removing green waste from all its existing Sinclair products for the 2016 season.
Wyevale Nurseries celebrates Best Plant Introduction win
9 September 2015
Wyevale Nurseries' new plant Salvia 'Love and Wishes' won the Best Plant Introduction - Nursery Stock Award at the Four Oaks Trade Show.
BlackRock purchases £112m garden centre portfolio
9 September 2015
BlackRock Real Estate has acquired the portfolio of eight garden centres within The BlackRock UK Long Lease Property Fund from LaSalle Investment Management.
Dunlop secures listing in top indie decor retailer
9 September 2015
Dunlop Adhesives has announced that well-established independent Ace Décor Preston is now stocking its new Pro Décor range.
Bond It opens dedicated training facility
8 September 2015
Building checmicals manufacturer Bond It has opened a new training centre at its head offices and manufacturing site in Elland, West Yorkshire.
Habitat to boost Homebase concession presence
7 September 2015
Home furnishings retailer Habitat is reportedly poised for significant expansion.
August's shock footfall slump 'is blip only'
7 September 2015
UK retail traffic dropped in August, with shopper numbers 5.4% lower than in July, when they reached their summertime peak.
Private investor buys Cambridgeshire garden centre
7 September 2015
A Cambridgeshire garden centre that closed down - despite help from TV business guru Alex Polizzi - is now in new hands.
Dreams releases TV ad track as single
7 September 2015
The success of its latest TV campaign has prompted Dreams to try its hand at conquering the UK singles charts with the release of the track from the ad.
Poundland launches online store
3 September 2015
Having been given the go-ahead in its acquisition of 99p Stores Ltd, Poundland has now launched an online store boasting 2,000 products and no minimum order.
What More acquisition bolsters bakeware offer
2 September 2015
British plastic storageware manufacturer What More UK has acquired the innovative bakeware brand PushPan.
Dickies' monkey business helps sanctuary clean up
2 September 2015
Workwear specialist Dickies has donated over 30 coveralls for the volunteers and staff at the Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary near Looe, Cornwall.
BHETA targets retailers direct with new campaign
2 September 2015
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has launched a direct marketing campaign aimed at 600 of the UK's top home improvement and garden retail buyers.
Colour and creativity enliven tile market
2 September 2015
Following several difficult years the UK market for floor and wall tiles grew by an estimated 4% in 2014, and is set to inch forward again this year.
Topps expands in Northern Ireland
1 September 2015
Topps Tiles has launched its third store in Northern Ireland, having opened the doors to its new Bangor outlet on Saturday.
Travis Perkins and Briggs Equipment donate van to kids
1 September 2015
Travis Perkins and Briggs Equipment have collaborated to provide a new van, worth over £20,000, to a charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with disabilities.
Innovation drives power tool market
1 September 2015
The tool market is mature and has seen moderate growth rates, though 2014 proved to be a good year.
Home improvement applications rise nationwide
1 September 2015
Home improvement across England reached a record 417,000 planning applications between March 2014 and March 2015, up 18% over the same period 2011/2012.
Kentish insects Bee & Q it
1 September 2015
The garden centre section of a Kent branch of B&Q had to close when a giant swarm of honey bees took a fancy to a hanging basket.
Hardware shop turns hospital for customer in distress
1 September 2015
A man with an artificial leg has been saved months in a wheelchair or several thousand pounds - thanks to a hardware shop hero.
Vitax picks new distributor to grow its Irish presence
1 September 2015
Garden and horticulture products manufacturer Vitax has appointed a new Irish distributor as part of its strategy to grow its presence across Ireland.
BHETA signs up Arc International
1 September 2015
The world's largest glass and tableware company, Arc International, has joined the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA).