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Room for everybody

So, the Robert Dyas sale saga has finally come to a conclusion, with the news that Ryman's owner and star of BBC's Dragon's Den Theo Paphitis has bought the retail chain. The businessman proudly announced the acquisition on his Twitter page, exclaiming: "I am in the ironmongery business!" However, he may get a bit of a surprise when he reviews the retailer's offer, as last time I checked, there wasn't a huge amount of ironmongery to be had.
19 July 2012

Focus: a fair payout?

News has spread this week that former Focus employees could be in line for compensation after the firm and its administrators failed to carry out a proper period of consultation when axing staff last year. Sounds like a great outcome for those who lost their jobs - except when you look at the fine print.
5 July 2012

If the price is right...

The issue of price is something I've no doubt the industry is battling with constantly. In tough economic conditions, the temptation is to drop prices to encourage shoppers to spend but then, of course, you start eating into your margins.
18 June 2012

Have we turned a corner?

Out and about at Chelsea last week I was encouraged by how many big industry names were on show again this year - whether they had taken a stand or created a spectacular show garden.
31 May 2012

To trade or not to trade

Our front page story generated quite a bit of interest this week and, I was actually quite surprised at the number of people who came out in support of Beckworth's decision to close over the Jubilee Bank holiday Monday and Tuesday.
24 May 2012

Is Argos outdated?

With the news that, after just two months in the job, Argos' new boss is launching a full review of 748-strong retail chain, the end result may provide an answer to the question on many people's lips; is the Argos format outdated?
10 May 2012

Half full or half empty?

Council tenants being offered free DIY courses at B&Q - and being given £400 vouchers to spend at B&Q as well. What's your take on that?
12 March 2012

Get your baps out

So is the MEM's advert sexist? When I first read the description of it I thought this was a bit of an overreaction by the ASA.
5 March 2012

Totally DIY: which way now?

Good stuff first: the show was well planned, well dressed and well promoted. There was a strong spread of exhibitors, and plenty of worthwhile new products. And the visitor numbers were on a par with those achieved before the show left London in 2009.
10 February 2012

Totally: Things picked up on Monday

Well, Monday's attendance at Totally DIY felt considerably better than Sunday.
7 February 2012
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