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DIY Rainbows introduced as new stockist for Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore has announced the appointment of DIY Rainbows in Marlborough, Wiltshire as the newest Authorised Stockist of its paint range.Owned by Jignesh Patel, DIY Rainbows is a family-run independent paint retailer with a glowing reputation in ... 
17 July 2019

GCA announces North Thames award winners

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) unveiled on July 15 its winners for the North Thames region during a presentation at Poplars Garden Centre.Perrywood Garden Centre – Tiptree won Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) ... 
17 July 2019

Mica introduces eco advertising campaign

The Mica co-operative of independent retailers (Mica) has unveiled plans several months in the making for its first ever eco advertising campaign, which will run during August and September this year.Independent retailers are excellent champions for ... 
17 July 2019

Sales of warm weather products dip but smart home posts double-digit growth at John Lewis

Cooler weather last week, compared with the same period the previous year, impacted sales of warm weather products, such as refrigeration and fans, contributing to a 2.3% decline in sales of electrical and home technology across the department store ... 
17 July 2019

Dyson fan ad banned over cordless claims

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has deemed an advert for Dyson’s Pure Hot + Cool Fan could mislead consumers into believing the product was a cordless fan by using images that do not clearly show the need to plug into mains electric.The ad,... 
17 July 2019

Amazon workers strike during Prime Day

Employees in Europe and the US are up in arms over wages and “dehumanising working conditions” during the e-commerce giant’s famous Prime Day sales extravaganza - although Amazon has dismissed claims by unions, calling them "misleading" and accusing certain groups ... 
16 July 2019

HTA announces theme for this year's marketing forum

‘The Power of Social’ is the theme for this year’s HTA Marketing Forum which takes place on 16 October 2019 at Horticulture House in Oxfordshire. This one-day event is aimed at all those delivering marketing and public relations in the garden ... 
16 July 2019

Wayfair to open first UK pop-up showroom

Wayfair has announced it will open a pop-up showroom in London on 1 August. The event is being held for one day only at an immersive Soho townhouse to discover a world of destination-themed interiors trends, and specifically revealing its Christmas ... 
16 July 2019

Amazon Prime kicks off with "more deals than ever"

Amazon launched its two-day parade of discounts today and is promising more deals than ever before for UK customers. The sale promotion started just past midnight last night and will run until 11.59pm on Tuesday, July 16, offering more than one ... 
15 July 2019

Notcutts reports 52.5% profit jump

Despite major upgrades to a number of its centres, Notcutts has recorded strong growth in the year to February 2019, with operating profit up 52.5% to £1.5m.Gross margin increased by 0.6% basis points to 47.5% and stock turn improved from 3.4 to 3.9 ... 
15 July 2019

Footfall declines for UK retail in June

Footfall declined by 2.9% in June, compared to the same point last year when it declined by 0.9%. On a three-month basis, footfall decreased by 2.4%. The six and twelve–month averages are at -1.3% and -1.7% respectively.High Street footfall declined ... 
15 July 2019

Further Homebase closures ahead

As Homebase struggles to agree new rent terms with landlords and continues to review its estate under the terms of its CVA, yet more stores are set to close in coming months.It has been revealed that the Homebase store on Newbury Retail Park will ... 
12 July 2019

BHETA wins website of the year at TAF Awards

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has announced it has won the Website of the Year award at the Trade Association Forum’s TA Best Practice Awards 2019. The annual event, now in its seventeenth year is formally supported by the ... 
12 July 2019

GCA announces regional award meetings

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) members will find out who has come out on top in its annual inspections this year at regional award meetings taking place this month. Garden centres are encouraged to attend the event in their area and to bring as ... 
12 July 2019

Retail professionals would rather learn new skills than get pay rise or promotion this year

New research reveals that 40% of retail professionals say learning new skills is their main career priority right now, beating both a pay rise and a promotion.Independent job board, CV-Library, which surveyed 2,000 UK professionals, found that ... 
11 July 2019

CMA blocks Asda Sainsbury’s merger for next decade

Having blocked the deal in April, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has now issued an final order to its report, stating that neither of the grocers may acquire an interest in the other Asda for 10 years.The ruling also applies to each of ... 
11 July 2019

Woodies DIY challenged by softer UK market

Grafton Group plc, the merchanting and DIY Group with operations in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium, has issued a trading update for the half year to 30 June 2019.The Group said trading in May and June was measured against very strong ... 
10 July 2019

Debenhams calls on Mike Ashley to drop legal action

As landlords M&G withdraw challenge to Debenhams' Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs), the ailing department store business has called on Sports Direct and House of Fraser boss Mike Ashley to do the same.A statement issued by Debenhams ... 
10 July 2019

Amazon set for Cardiff with second Clicks & Mortar store

As Amazon works to provide physical space for small, online-only sellers and “remove the friction of small businesses selling on the high street”, the e-commerce giant is set to open the second of its pop-up shops in St David’s Shopping Centre in ... 
10 July 2019

Dunelm sees double digit growth in Q4

Homewares retailer, Dunelm Group plc, has reported the following trading update for the 13-week period ended 29 June 2019 and reports total like-for-like (LFL) revenue for the fourth quarter as seeing an increase of 15.4%, reflecting strong ... 
10 July 2019
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