Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Olympic diver fined for theft at B&Q

Blake Aldridge, formerly part of Team B&Q, accused of stealing plumbing fittings from the B&Q store that sponsored him. 
18 May 2009

Obituary: Gerald Kingdon

Former Home Hardware SouthWest director and BHF national president Gerald Kingdon died at Barnstaple Hospital on April 28. He was 79. 
18 May 2009

New initiatives for Glee 2009

Glee organiser Emap Connect has announced a number of new features for this year's show, as well as improvements to existing aspects. 
14 May 2009

Woolworths hires B&Q's agency for relaunch

The failed high street chain brings in Hill & Knowlton to help with its reincarnation as an online retailer. 
14 May 2009

Bents gets naked

Bents Garden & Home staff get naked for charity calendar shoot. 
14 May 2009

HTA launches training diploma for garden retail

Candidates to receive Government funding for the course, which provides a nationally recognised qualification. 
14 May 2009

Webbs expands with Hurrans site

Wychbold-based garden centre takes over the former Hurrans centre in West Hagley. 
13 May 2009

Footprint Tools enters voluntary liquidation

The credit crunch and subsequent recession have forced Footprint Tools into making a "dignified exit" from the market. 
13 May 2009

Jewson scoops safety awards

Builders merchant chain takes home four silver awards from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). 
13 May 2009

Retail sales growth hits three-year high

In line with recent reports about a rise in retail footfall in April, the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor has shown the best retail sales growth for three years. 
12 May 2009

Wyevale launches landscaping and fencing centres

Wyevale will launch landscaping and fencing centres in eight of its centres this month and throughout June, each measuring up to 300sq m. 
12 May 2009

Kingfisher opens new showroom

New 8,000 sq ft site allows company to display every item in its range, including furniture and outdoor living products. 
12 May 2009

1.2% increase in minimum wage

BRC says Low Pay Commission made the "right decision for these difficult times". 
12 May 2009

Fiskars launches regeneration project

Garden tools manufacturer Fiskars is appealing to the public to nominate community garden spaces throughout the UK that are in need of some serious attention. 
11 May 2009

Travis Perkins announces £300m rights issue

Builders Merchant Travis Perkins has announced this morning a rights issue to raise gross proceeds of around £314m - £300m net of expenses - through the sale of almost 86 million new shares. 
11 May 2009

JT Dove celebrates Stockton investment

Builders merchant opens brand new outlet in its 140th year of trading, following a £1.5m investment. 
11 May 2009

Dobbies expands on back of sales increase

Tesco-owned garden centre chain Dobbies, the second largest in the UK after Wyevale, has bucked the sales trend of the past 12 months with an annual sales increase of 12% taking turnover to £97m. 
11 May 2009

Hutsons Cookshop closes

Lincolnshire business to shut its doors for the last time next month after more than 100 years of trading. 
8 May 2009

John Lewis launches new concept stores

Department store chain to roll out up to 50 specialist home stores across UK and Ireland as part of a £6m initiative. 
7 May 2009

Garden centres up 38% for April

Garden retailers are "bucking the trend" according to the GCA, as people choose to stay at home this spring. 
7 May 2009
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