Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

Latest News

Stranger Things fans clear B&Q out of LED lights

B&Q has reported a shortage of LED multi-coloured lights due to fans of Netflix series Stranger Things attempting to recreate an iconic scene from the show. 
9 December 2016

Screwfix named in top ten places to work

Kingfisher retailer Screwfix has been named as number nine in the top 50 best businesses to work for 2017 based on employee review. 
8 December 2016

Homebase is hit by Christmas tree thief

Kent police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of 50 Christmas trees from Homebase in Herne Bay. 
7 December 2016

Blue Diamond expands its garden centre empire

Polhill's Coton Orchard garden centre in Cambridge is set to become the 19th Blue Diamond centre. 
7 December 2016

Marlows GC unveils beginnings of £1m redevelopment

Marlows Garden Centre has completed the first part of a £1m redesign, including a new cafe at its Bury St Edmunds base. 
6 December 2016

BHETA members rub shoulders with Dunelm buying team

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA)’s latest Meet The Buyer day with new retail partner, the home décor retailer, Dunelm was a resounding success. 
6 December 2016

Barry DIY independent celebrates 125 years of trading

Silver Star DIY of Barry, Wales, is celebrating 125 years of business, spanning depression, recession and two world wars. 
5 December 2016

M&S could face £500m bill for re-organisation plans

Marks and Spencer could have to pay at least £500m to fund its plans to close 60 of its stores and invest more heavily in its food business. 
5 December 2016

Schneider Electric joins BHETA

Schneider Electric is the latest company to join the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA). 
5 December 2016

Paving company pledges £500 for charity in memory of employee

Following the tragic death of employee Tony Marshall earlier this year, groundwork and civil engineering specialist Rudridge will be donating the £500 usually spent on Christmas cards and postage to charity. 
2 December 2016

Animal rights campaigners accuse Scotsdales of cruelty

A Facebook group and petition have been launched calling for Scotsdales Garden Centre in Cambridgeshire to stop using live reindeer in their Christmas displays, claiming it is cruel and "completely inadequate for their welfare." 
1 December 2016

Centurion gains ISO accreditation

Doncaster-based Centurion Europe, supplier of hardware, garden, housewares and safety products, has been awarded ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certification after thorough external audits by an accredited registrar company. 
1 December 2016

Garden centre's £1m re-fit could be torn down

Charnley's Home and Garden store in Dalton has recently undergone a £1m extension, but the business' new mezzanine level could face being torn down after a vote by Barrow Borough Council. 
30 November 2016

Man approaches garden centre staff with a gun

Wiltshire police are on the hunt for a man who approached staff at Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock, wearing a balaclava and in possession of a firearm. 
30 November 2016

Bunnings' takeover of Homebase costs Habitat £18m

Furniture retailer Habitat has posted positive turnover figures for its year ending February 27, 2016, but has revealed an 'exceptional items charge' of £12.4m, resulting in losses of £18m. 
30 November 2016

Topps Tiles enjoys "record sales" of £215m for FY16

The UK's largest tile specialist Topps Tiles has released its figures for the 52 weeks ending 1 October, with sales up 4.2% like-for-like for the period. 
29 November 2016

Ikea announces fifth consecutive year of sales growth

Ikea UK has revealed that sales reached £1.72bn, an increase of 8.9% for the year to August 31, 2016 
29 November 2016

Research suggests Cyber Monday spending will be bigger than last year

New research from BHS.com reveals that 14% of people plan to spend more during Cyber Monday this year (28th November) than they did in 2015, and just 5% expect to spend less. 
28 November 2016

Dunelm branches into baby goods with acquisition of Kiddicare

Homewares retailer Dunelm Mill has agreed to purchase baby specialist store Kiddicare in a bid to raise its online game. 
28 November 2016

Poundland to close 80 stores

Just months after it was taken over by South African retail company Steinhoff, Poundland has revealed plans to close up to 80 stores. 
28 November 2016
*

Most read stories