Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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BHETA shortlisted for award

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is a finalist in the Trade Association Forum (TAF) 2018 Awards.  The association has been shortlisted in the Marketing Campaign of the Year category for its inaugural National Home Improvement ... 
18 June 2018

Shortlist for Jewson building better communities trade hero announced

Jewson has revealed the five finalists in its Trade Hero category of Building Better Communities awards. After being selected by a panel of industry judges, the shortlist now needs public votes to be in with a chance of winning up to £50,000 in ... 
15 June 2018

Stephen Mangan to host 2018 GIMA Awards

The Garden Industry Manufacturer's Association (GIMA) has announced that TV, film and stage actor Stephen Mangan will compered its annual awards event this year. Best known for his role as Sean in the hit transatlantic comedy series Episodes, and as ... 
15 June 2018

Scheurich enhances outdoor offer with Deroma takeover

Leading indoor plant pot manufacturer, Scheurich GmbH & Co KG has received backing from German private investors, the Bavaria Industries Group AG (Baikap) to acquire Deroma, the world‘s leader in terracotta pottery. The company, located in the ... 
15 June 2018

Taylor Grange Retail acquires Flooring Republic in a bid to rescue the company

The Manchester office of national law firm Shoosmiths has advised on a rescue deal for a flooring business with more than 20 stores across the country.Taylor Grange Retail Limited, a new business set up by the owner of long-standing client, property ... 
15 June 2018

Kingfisher opens first net zero energy store

Kingfisher, the international home improvement company, has announced that the recently opened Peterborough Screwfix store will be the first in its estate to be net zero in its energy usage. The news comes as Kingfisher publishes its annual ... 
15 June 2018

Toolbank parent makes Irish acquisitions

Dormole, the privately-owned business that owns Toolbank, has increased its investment in the Irish market by purchasing 100% of the share capital of Tucks O’Brien Ltd (TOB) and Tucks Fasteners & Fixings Ltd (QFF ) – the leading tools and ... 
12 June 2018

Poundworld calls in administrators putting more than 5,000 jobs on line

Discount chain Poundworld has become the latest high street name to fall into administration after attempts to restructure the business have failed.Deliotte restructuring partners Daniel Butters and Clare Boardman have, today, been appointed as ... 
11 June 2018

Garden centres report ‘rollercoaster month’ in April

Sales at garden centres across the country were up and down during April, according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade (BoT) report. Outdoor plant sales remained down at -12.73% compared with the same month last year but ... 
11 June 2018

B&Q overhauls kitchen and bathroom sales process

B&Q has entered into a consultation process with 700 employees as a result ofnew plans to simplify the buying process within kitchens & bathrooms, including scrapping its Homefit installation service.The DIY giant has proposed to change the ... 
8 June 2018

British consumers want more government support for indies

New research revealed that nearly three quarters (72%) of UK consumers want the government to do more to back the growth of smaller, independent retailers. According to a YouGov poll of GB consumers, 42% said they would consider shopping with an ... 
8 June 2018

An abundance of inspiration from the HTA catering conference

A Recipe for Growth’ was the theme of this year’s HTA Catering Conference, held on 5 and 6 June, in the new venue of the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The two-day event and exhibition provided a great forum for looking at opportunities and ... 
7 June 2018

Stores still key to shopper journey

Despite numerous CVAs and branch closure plans on the high street, stores offering convenience and a destination shopping experience will continue to provide value for retailers, as online sales grow. Stores are still a key part of the multichannel ... 
7 June 2018

Ultra Furniture Ltd in administration, as business is hit by Tesco Direct closure

UK upholstery manufacturer, Ultra Furniture Ltd, appointed administrators yesterday, resulting in 160 job losses, following news that its biggest customer, Tesco Direct is set to close this summer.Steven Muncaster of Duff & Phelps, was ... 
7 June 2018

Hartley Botanic's 'Tropical Britain' tradestand wins best in show at RHS Chatsworth

British greenhouse and glasshouse manufacturer Hartley Botanic has been awarded the best tradestand accolade at RHS Chatsworth Flower for its ‘tropical Britain’ tradestand. Key to the Lancashire manufacturer’s success has been its single-minded ... 
7 June 2018

Amazon UK on recruitment drive

Online retail giant set to create more than 2,500 permanent jobs in the UK this year in order to meet increasing customer demand and an ongoing expansion of products and services. The new additions will grow Amazon’s total permanent workforce in the ... 
7 June 2018

Carpetright gets go-ahead from shareholders for recovery plan

Flooring specialist, Carpetright has secured shareholder approval for emergency plans to keep the business trading using money raised through a conditional placing. The placing and open offer, which took place on June 5, raised around £60million. ... 
6 June 2018

Consumer spending in DIY stores and garden centres soar in May

The sunshine brought shoppers out in force in May, as consumer expenditure rose significantly during May, peaking over the early Bank holiday, with garden centres recording a year-on-year increase of 50.3% over the weekend, whilst spending in DIY ... 
6 June 2018

Police report 4% increase in shoplifting across UK

Latest figures reveal that retailers have seen an average increase of 4% in shoplifting incidents in the past year, with over 370,000 offences reported in 2017-18.Overall, a total of 378,725 shoplifting incidents were recorded in the UK during the ... 
4 June 2018

John Lewis Partnership acquires home improvement business Opun to enhance home services offer

The John Lewis Partnership today announced that it has acquired Opun, which manages home improvement projects on behalf of customers. The acquisition will strengthen the retailer’s position in the home services market while also complementing its ... 
4 June 2018
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