Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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AkzoNobel announces €22 million investment in France, to streamline its operations

AkzoNobel has presented a plan to its employee representatives and its employees in France that includes a €22 million investment to establish the Montataire site as a flagship for decorative paint production. This initiative reflects the company’s ... 
13 January 2025

B&Q to buy five Homebase stores in the UK

B&Q has announced that it has reached agreement to acquire five leasehold stores in the UK, currently trading as Homebase, for a total purchase price of £2.5 m. This follows the agreement to buy three stores currently trading as Homebase in the ... 
7 January 2025

‘Game Changer’ & customer service guru Geoff Ramm to speak at GCA conference

Creator and author of Celebrity Service and Celebrity Service Superstars and Forbes named ‘Game Changer’ Geoff Ramm will be presenting at the Garden Centre Association (GCA) conference in Reading this month (January 26 until 29, 2025).Ramm, who is a ... 
5 January 2025

Hotel of mum & dad can help first-time buyers exit the rental sector 4.4 years quicker

The latest research from award winning mortgage adviser, Alexander Hall, suggests that first-time buyers could get on the property ladder nearly four and a half years sooner if they were to check in to the Hotel of Mum and Dad, rather than going it ... 
2 January 2025

Valspar launches ‘BetterTub’ recycling initiative to reduce plastic waste

Valspar has today launched a premium paint tub that provides a greener way to decorate the home, containing at least 40% recycled plastic. In collaboration with Valspar’s UK packaging partner, Berry Global, the paint and interiors brand has ... 
19 December 2024

Kingfisher announces sale of Brico Dépôt Romania

Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, has announced, following a competitive process, the sale of its Brico Dépôt Romania business to Altex Romania for an enterprise value of €70m 1 (equivalent to £58m2). The sale comprises the ... 
19 December 2024

DIY hits a high-note as B&Q officially opens new store in Rotherham

B&Q has opened the doors to its brand-new 22,000 sq. ft store at Great Eastern Retail Park, Rotherham. Customers were welcomed in by Dinnington Colliery Band who provided a festive performance as the store opened to customers for the first time.... 
13 December 2024

Shoppers think big Black Friday deals are not real

A new poll by leading customer and market research company Maru reveals that 2 in 5 (40% of) UK shoppers feel that Black Friday discounts of 50% or more are not believable. Their survey of 1,000 UK shoppers comes as previous studies have suggested ... 
29 November 2024

Deck the halls with nails and hammers

UK adults spend an average of 9 hours and 24 minutes on DIY to get their homes ready for Christmas– and they’re heading to their local shops to stock up on products.Forget hanging up tinsel and putting the star on top of the Christmas tree; when it ... 
26 November 2024

Independent retailers boycott Black Friday as rising costs mount

Seven in ten independent retailers across the UK are boycotting Black Friday this year, as rising operational costs and economic pressures continue to impact small businesses, according to the latest survey from the British Independent Retailers ... 
26 November 2024

Homebase issues official statement on administration and sale of the business

Following the news that Homebase has gone into administration, the company has issued an official statement together with Teneo Financial Advisory who have been appointed as Joint Administrators of the business, on the current situation and expected ... 
14 November 2024

Crown donates over 6,000 litres of paint to transform local community projects

Crown Paints has donated more than 6,000 litres of paint to community groups across the country as part of its commitment to support regeneration through murals and paint projects.The donations form part of the decorating giant's partnership with ... 
11 November 2024

Majority of businesses measure wrong marketing metrics according to research

Six out of 10 marketing leaders struggle to demonstrate the impact of their marketing investments because they are measuring the wrong metrics! This includes many businesses operating in the KBB Industry where competition is fiercer than ever. ... 
24 September 2024

Learning to grow - HMP Woodhill is leading the way with blooming gardens and allotments

Prisoners at HMP Woodhill are putting food on the table after being taught how to plant, prune and pick their own produce by staff inside the prison. A huge range of fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown by hard working staff and prisoners ... 
10 August 2024

Wickes Group issues trading update for first six months of 2024

In the first half of 2024 Wickes has delivered continued sales and volume growth in Retail with LFL sales up 0.6%. Challenging market conditions have continued in Design & Installation where we saw LFL sales decline by 18.3%. Overall Group LFL ... 
31 July 2024

DIY Week Awards 2024 Winners Announced

Designed to celebrate excellence and innovation, across the DIY, home improvement and garden sectors, the DIY Week Awards 2024 took place on 17th May at the Grand Connaught Rooms, London, allowing the industry’s very best to network and celebrate ... 
25 May 2024

A grill for every skill: Napoleon Grills new and best-selling BBQs for 2024 

Napoleon Grills, the premium grill and outdoor kitchen brand have revamped their Built-in 700 series gas grills and have a range of new accessories for 2024 from pizza stones and rib holders to cast iron chef’s meat press for the ultimate grill ... 
24 May 2024

DIY Week Awards 2024 - Finalists announced!

After an incredible response from the industry, we are delighted to reveal the 2024 finalists who are in the running to win a coveted DIY Week Award. The winners will be revealed on Friday 17th May at a special lunchtime ceremony to be held at the ... 
26 April 2024

C.K Tools strips away the hassle for electricians with the launch of new ArmourSlice EVO Cable Stripper

C.K Tools, the trusted choice for the electrical trade, is leading the way in product innovation once again with the launch of its new ArmourSlice EVO Cable Stripper – designed to deliver greater effectiveness for electricians in their everyday work.... 
31 March 2024

BHETA to run networking forum and meet the buyer event with JLP on subsequent days in May

BHETA is to hold an online networking forum with the John Lewis Partnership at 10.30 am on Wednesday 1st May, immediately followed on Thursday 2nd May by a Meet The Buyer event also with JLP. Speaking at the forum is Lucy Steer, Head of Category ... 
24 March 2024
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