Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Suspended prison sentences for Floors-2-Go directors

Two directors of Floors-2-Go have been handed suspended prison sentences after the retail chain collapsed into administration for a third time. 
18 November 2015

Europe gives the all-clear to Roundup and glyphosate

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide products, has effectively been given a clean bill of health by European regulatory authorities. 
18 November 2015

Hitachi buys Metabo

Japanese power tool giant Hitachi Koki has announced that it will acquire 100% ownership of German power tool firm Metabo Aktiengesellschaft (Metabo) and its parent company. 
18 November 2015

Major plant supplier John Woods Nurseries in administration

John Woods Nurseries, one of the UK's leading suppliers of plants to the garden retail market, has gone into administration. 
17 November 2015

Notcutts reports huge profit jump and reveals big investment plans

Family-owned garden centre, Notcutts has revealed a 469% profit increase for the 12 months to February 2015, from £1.3m the previous year to £7.4m. 
12 November 2015

Woodie's sees like-for-like growth as recovery in Irish market continues

Woodie's DIY, part of the Grafton Group, reported good like-for-like figures in its parent's latest interim trading statement, boosted by an increase in consumer spending and confidence in Ireland. 
12 November 2015

Asda steps away from Black Friday chaos

Following the chaos seen in stores last year, Walmart-owned retailer, Asda, has announced that it will scale back promotions on Black Friday in response to customer demand. 
11 November 2015

Brits spend £1m on digital gift cards

A digital gift card provider has announced that Britons have bought £1 million worth of digital gift cards over the past 12 months 
11 November 2015

Sales of outdoor categories up in October

Garden centres across the UK report a surge in sales of furniture and outdoor plants during October, with early indications of Christmas sales also good. 
11 November 2015

Decco teams up with Greenfingers

Wholesaler Decco has been announced as the logistics partner for Greenfingers' 'Turn Old into Gold' Scheme 
10 November 2015

Brits head outdoors this Christmas

Nearly a third of Brits want to enjoy their turkey alfresco this Christmas, says new survey, as more people than ever embrace the growing trend of eating outdoors all year round. 
9 November 2015

Shower market to benefit from water saving and ageing population

Following a relatively volatile period, there has been a notable increase in the market for showering products, and this year its value is predicted to have risen by around 4% over 2014. 
9 November 2015

Halloween drives footfall surge in October

Halloween and the half-term holidays spelled good news for UK retailers, with the last week of October becoming the busiest shopping week of the year. 
9 November 2015

DIY Week Awards: One week left to enter

The deadline for entry to the DIY Week Awards is fast approaching, with just seven days left to get your top product or stand-out retail business recognised. Don't miss out. 
6 November 2015

Argos leads up to Black Friday with colourful promotions

Argos will launch 'Red, White and Blue' Fridays leading up to Black Friday as part of its Christmas campaign. 
6 November 2015

Home Retail Group raises £1.1m for charity

General retailer Home Retail Group, owner of Argos, Homebase and Habitat, has reached the first £1 million milestone for Macmillan Cancer Support, since the launch of its two-year partnership in March this year. 
5 November 2015

Retail shrinkage costs UK stores £3.1bn

The annual Global Retail Theft Barometer, underwritten by Checkpoint Systems, reveals that UK retailers lost more than £3.1bn worth of inventory in 2014, equating to 0.89% of total retail sales, with shoplifting the biggest problem for home improvement stores. 
5 November 2015

Wilbys Home Hardware acquires builder's merchant

In a deal sealed yesterday, the owners of Wilbys Home Hardware have added a builder's merchant to their chain of three Suffolk and Norfolk hardware shops. 
4 November 2015

Use merchandising to drive wild bird care sales, says Gardman

With weather forecasters predicting a cold winter ahead, retailers should now be getting their wild bird care departments in shape in order to maximise sales in this key period, says Gardman. 
4 November 2015

Training roadshow will help garden centres boost sales

A series of training events is being rolled out around the UK early next year aimed at helping garden centres maximise sales. 
3 November 2015
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