Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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February sales worst since May 2009, says BRC

The latest figures from the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor showed total UK retail sales rose by 1.1% last month, against a 4.5% increase for the same month last year. 
8 March 2011

B&Q organises dance flash mob for Comic Relief

Staff across the DIY chain's 330 stores surprised customers with an impromptu dance performance on Saturday in a bid to raise funds for charity. 
7 March 2011

Expansion plans at Tile Depot

Tile Depot is set for expansion after extending its warehousing capacity by nearly 20%. 
4 March 2011

Alworths future uncertain

Founder Andy Latham steps down from the board, as retailer confirms a restructuring of the business is under way. 
4 March 2011

Dobbies opens in Ashford

Dobbies officially opened its brand new Garden World at Ashford, Kent today, as the company steams ahead with its ambitious expansion plans. 
4 March 2011

Memorial day to be held for Klondyke founder Bob Gault

Klondyke founder and chairman Bob Gault passed away on February 15 after a long illness. 
3 March 2011

Funeral arrangements made for Bob Bickerdike

The funeral for Bob Bickerdike will be held at St Mary Magdalene Church in Brampton, Cambridgeshire, on March 7 at 11.30 am. 
3 March 2011

Wickes named Britain's top DIY retailer

Travis Perkins-owned chain tops the bill, with B&Q in second place, as 6,000 consumers vote for their favourite retailers in Verdict Research's annual poll. 
2 March 2011

B&Q invests £35m in new multi-channel platform

Kingfisher-owned DIY chain to expand and improve multi-channel operations, with new platform that allows for launch of an m-commerce site and further developments to online next-day delivery service. 
2 March 2011

Brits afraid of basic DIY, says survey

Almost a third of British people admit they find DIY shops intimidating, according to a new survey from TV channel Home. 
1 March 2011

Obituary: Ian Thompson of Barnitts

Chairman of one of York's largest independent department stores and much-loved member of the community, Mr Thompson died of a heart attack while on holiday in Majorca. 
1 March 2011

Hardware and DIY shows poor performance in February

High street sales volumes slowed sharply in February, with the hardware and DIY sector performing "particularly poorly", according to the CBI. 
28 February 2011

Two burglaries at garden centre site

Thieves target Arturi's Garden Centre in Eastleigh for second time in just over a week to steal safe from aquarium concession. 
28 February 2011

BRC urges Government to ease retailer costs ahead of March Budget

Retailers are already absorbing £670m of extra Government-imposed costs and must be protected from further burdens in next month's Budget, the British Retail Consortium has said today. 
28 February 2011

New report looks at Brits' behaviour online

As a growing number of firms ramp up their multi-channel activities, Shoppercentric says opportunities do exist in social media and mobile commerce but that the message must be fine-tuned. 
28 February 2011

Small electricals perk up John Lewis’ sales

Department store chain reported 0.4% drop last week, measured against strong results the previous year, but food prep, large electricals and gift ranges helped boost revenue. 
25 February 2011

Focus sells six stores to Asda

DIY retailer has transferred leases for six outlets to supermarket chain Asda for an undisclosed sum in a bid to raise funds for further investment in the firm. 
25 February 2011

Garden Centre Group shuts down pot recycling scheme

Garden centre chain closes all of its 120 drop-off points and ends "popular scheme", due to difficulties finding a company to handle the recycling process. 
25 February 2011

London ranked as top shopping capital

City accounted for non-food sales of £64.2bn in 2010, beating top 21 shopping destinations in the world, including New York, Tokyo and Paris. 
24 February 2011

Record-breaking decline in family spending power continues

Family spending power declined 4.7% year-on-year in January, representing the second record-breaking month in a row, according to the latest results from the Asda Income Tracker. 
24 February 2011
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