Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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B&Q offers January sale prices - in November

B&Q is giving customers an early preview of its January sale over a four-day period this weekend. 
25 November 2010

Parking charge hikes could wipe out high street trade, warns FPB

Councils could kill off high street trade if they hike up town centre parking charges, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has warned. 
25 November 2010

UK manufacturers see rise in demand, says CBI

Demand for UK-made goods improved in November, compared with the previous month, according to new figures released by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) last week. 
24 November 2010

Verdict lists top 10 Christmas ads

John Lewis, Sainsbury's, M&S and Matalan among retailers praised for their commercials, as retail analyst highlights the importance of a strong advertising campaign and 'togetherness' over the festive period. 
24 November 2010

Product of the Year Awards – Enter now!

The Product of the Year Awards 2011 is now open for entries - giving you the chance to prove that you have one of the best innovations in the marketplace. 
24 November 2010

Turnover up 15% at John Browns Garden Centre

John Browns Garden Centre in Dorset has reported an increased turnover of 15% for the period from January to August 2010. 
23 November 2010

Brits spending power falls again in October

Asda Income Tracker reports tenth month of decline, with UK families now £4 a week worse off than in the same month last year. 
23 November 2010

Totally shows set to be a sell out

February trade shows have already exceeded the size they were in 2010, and sales director Paul Grinsell is confident that the shows will be a sell out. 
23 November 2010

Ted Lansdowne funeral arrangements confirmed

The funeral of Ted Lansdowne, former managing director of Payless DIY and Green DIY, will be 11.30am on Wednesday December 8 at St Mary Church, Kippington Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2LL. There will be refreshments afterwards. 
23 November 2010

Obituary: Ted Lansdowne

Ted Lansdowne, md of Green DIY in Sussex and former md of Payless DIY, died on Friday November 19 after multiple heart attacks. He was 67. 
22 November 2010

Sales stay strong at John Lewis in run up to Christmas

Department store chain reports total sales of £88m last week as shoppers prepare their homes for the festive season, sending home categories soaring. 
22 November 2010

Business insolvencies drop 17%

A significant year-on-year drop in business insolvencies has been recorded during October, according to the latest Insolvency Index from Experian. 
22 November 2010

Merchanting sales rise at Grafton but retail arm struggles

Grafton Group has reported a 6% rise in UK merchanting sales for the year to October 2010. 
22 November 2010

Department store owner dines out with Channel 4

Jim Godfrey, owner of L.R. Godfreys in Lowestoft took part in TV programme Come Dine With Me - to be aired December 3. 
22 November 2010

Next dismisses reports of planned garden centre formats

Fashion retailer Next has dismissed reports that it is planning to open out-of-town shops with garden centres. 
22 November 2010

Gardman gets set for growth

Garden sundries supplier Gardman has signed a deal for 242,000sq ft of new warehouse space in West Lynn, close to its main warehouse operations in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. 
19 November 2010

UK's biggest Christmas tree lights up Dobbies

The 12,000 lights on the biggest Christmas tree in the UK were switched on by Lord of the Rings star Billy Boyd at Dobbies' Edinburgh garden centre last weekend. 
19 November 2010

Guidance on knife sales issued to Scottish retailers

Scottish Government and SRC work to ensure businesses understands strict new regulations on sales of blades. 
19 November 2010

Philip Morris & Son wins regional business award

Department store Philip Morris & Son in Hereford has been named the West Midlands Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year 2010. 
19 November 2010

Christmas shopping boosts online sales

Online sales increased last month by 23% compared with October 2009, showing Christmas shopping is now in full swing. 
19 November 2010
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