Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

Latest News

Trouble in Poundland documentary to air tomorrow

A behind-the-scenes documentary about Britain’s budget retailer is set to hit our screens tomorrow evening, showing how its new management team battle to offer products cheaper than high-street rivals.The ITV documentary shows a year in the life of ... 
19 June 2017

Argos raises £2 million for Macmillan

Catalogue retail chain Argos has raised millions of pounds over the past two years for its charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support, thanks to a host of fundraising activities involving staff and customers.Macmillan won the vote to become the ... 
19 June 2017

Thermos acquires BHL Group

Housewares manufacturer Thermos has bought Brands Home & Leisure (BHL) Group – the company that has been its distribution partner in the UK since 2001.Based in Leeds, BHL Group distributes to the UK market through a range of retail channels on ... 
16 June 2017

Global DIY Summit predicts growth for HI sector

Speakers at the fifth Global DIY Summit are positive about the outlook for the global market, whilst nearly a quarter of delegates estimate growth of more than 10% for their business this year. 
15 June 2017

DFS issues profit warning due to “weak market”

Furniture retailer reports declines in footfall and customer orders hit sales in the second half.In a trading update today, DFS said that, despite highlighting an expectation for a “softer market environment” for the second half of the financial ... 
15 June 2017

B&Q retail director makes move to Bunnings

Damian McGloughlin has resigned from his role as B&Q UK & Ireland retail director and will take up the role of Bunnings COO when he has finished gardening leave 
15 June 2017

Norcros enjoys eighth consecutive year of growth

Revenues have risen past £270m at Norcros giving the kitchen and bathroom accessories group its eighth consecutive year of growth.The group has posted revenues of £271.2m for the year to 31 March 2017, up by 15% year on year. Underlying pre-tax ... 
15 June 2017

Consumer spending down falls for first time in four years

New data has signalled a renewed fall in consumer spending during May, with expenditure down -0.8% on the year.The decline followed a +0.3% increase in April, and was the first fall in household expenditure recorded since September 2013.The figures ... 
14 June 2017

FPB sounds a 'mayday’ distress signal for businesses

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is calling on the UK’s politicians to recognise that the economic strength of the UK is reliant on the country’s five million small businesses.FPB chief executive Ian Cass commented: “‘The voice of small business ... 
12 June 2017

Poundland plans multi-price point range

The discount retailer has announced a new strategy to expand its product offering and also start stocking items above the £1 price tag by introducing a multi-price point range across its UK stores. Steinhoff International, which acquired Poundland ... 
12 June 2017

Bunnings opens Hemel Hempstead store

Australian group Wesfarmers opened its third Bunnings Warehouse store in the UK and Ireland on Friday, converting the former Homebase site at Apsley Mills Retail ParkThe Hemel Hempstead store occupies over 64,000sq ft and stocks more than 27,000 ... 
12 June 2017

Topps Tiles opens new store in Shipley

Leading tile specialist Topps Tiles has announced the opening of a new store in Shipley following an investment of more than £160,000. The 4,674 sq ft store on Baildon Bridge Retail Park will retail the company’s extensive collections of wall and ... 
7 June 2017

Bunnings names locations for sixth, seventh and eighth UK stores

Thanet (Broadstairs), Sittingbourne and Basildon (Vange) have been confirmed by Bunnings as the locations of the sixth, seventh and eighth UK pilot stores. 
7 June 2017

DIY on the rise at Spring Fair

The DIY and home improvement sector at the 2018 Spring Fair is going to be bigger and better than its debut outing earlier this year. 
6 June 2017

Garden centres report furniture sales increase

Customers at garden centres across the country prepared themselves for the good weather by buying furniture and barbecues for their outside spaces according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade results.Furniture and barbecue ... 
6 June 2017

Retailers suffer 30% more online crime

Online crime against retailers rose by 30% over the last year, according to a new crime survey published by the Home Office, raising concerns about the sector's preparedness for new data protection rules. 
6 June 2017

Hillmount to open third garden centre

Irish garden centre business Hillmount is to open its third centre later this year, a £1m development in Co. Down which will create 25 local jobs. 
5 June 2017

Drill thieves repeatedly target B&Q

Three drill thieves targetted B&Q Brierfield on multiple occasions, stealing five Bosch drills and other tools worth around £500 on two occasions, and attempting to steal another drill worth £115 on a third. 
5 June 2017

PPG withdraws offer for Akzo Nobel

PPG announced that it has walked away from its bid to take over Dulux parent Akzo Nobel, despite discussing a proposed price increase and sweeteners to the deal.The US paint firm today announced that it has withdrawn its proposal to combine with ... 
1 June 2017

Space still available in RDT Karting Challenge

The Rainy Day Trust is offering a last-minute deal for a team to take part in its annual Karting Challenge - don't miss our chance to be part of this great event.Due to a couple of last-minute drop-outs at the event, the Rainy Day Trust (RDT) is ... 
1 June 2017
*

Most read stories