AMES UK is reporting an uplift on 2018 of over 46% on a like-for-like basis across Kelkay, Woodshaw and La Hacienda. 

Christmas High Streets and supermarket sales figures are coming thick and fast and the picture looks bleak for many retailers, while the British Retail Consortium is saying last year was the worst for retail in 25 years. 

Forgefix owner, Dormole, has continued its policy of investing in independent suppliers to the Tools and Fixings Trade, by taking a majority stake in Harrison & Clough (H&C), the fixings and fasteners wholesaler based in Keighley, UK. 

Bord na Mona has announced that the UK retail arm of the business will change its name to The Greener Gardening Company, effective from 1 February 2020. 

Dunelm Group has reported a strong trading update for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended 28 December 2019. 

Former BBC chief news correspondent Kate Adie CBE has been announced as a speaker at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference in Bristol this month (January 26-29). 

Screwfix has unveiled its 140th product catalogue. 

Gross Christmas sales at the John Lewis Partnership were down 1.8% versus 2018 to £2,167 million. 

Notcutts Garden Pride Garden Centre in Ditchling, East Sussex, has opened a new restaurant with dining for up to 300 people.

 

Gardenex is planning a programme of webinars and initiatives on online retailing in overseas markets to be held in conjunction with the E-Exporting team at the Department for International Trade and Infinity Blue Marketplaces. 

Bira has teamed up with ecommerce specialist EKM to provide members with a trusted way to build an online presence while supporting their bricks-and-mortar retail business. 

AkzoNobel has repurchased 300,764 of its own ordinary shares in the period from 30 December 2019, up to and including 3 January 2020, at an average price of €90.92 per share. The consideration of the repurchase was €27.35 million. 

Toolstation branches are now open until 8pm on weekday evenings. 

Omnichannel retailer, Screwfix turned 40 in December 2019. 

National builders’ merchant Jewson has recently updated its showroom in Flitwick to include Lakes’ new Bay Series and premium stone resin trays, Lakes Stone 

Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) can put their marketing campaigns and initiatives to the test as part of the organisation’s annual Worrall Cup competition (January, 2020). 

Kingfisher, the international home improvement company, has announced the appointment of Jean-Jacques (JJ) Van Oosten as chief customer and digital officer. 

GIMA’s Knowledge Exchange programme will begin 2020 with the return of the ‘Developing Selling Skills’ session. 

My Job Quote surveyed 1,482 British people to discover who they believe to be the friendliest tradespeople. My Job Quote found that the majority of those surveyed rate electricians (75%) as the friendliest tradespeople. 

Squire’s Garden Centres has published their financial results for the year ending 31 July 2019. It was a year of record sales; turnover increased by 15% to £57m, helped by excellent weather conditions throughout the peak season.