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Tong Garden Centre begins major development plans

Tong Garden Centre is set to complete the first stage of its latest expansion with support from a seven-figure HSBC UK funding package.The centre, which is situated between Leeds and Bradford, is expecting to complete the construction of a 4,000 sq. ... 
11 February 2019

Dobbies sells two centres to Caulders

Dobbies Garden Centres has agreed the sale of its two smallest centres - Kinross and Cumbernauld - to family-run Caulders Garden Centres.Dobbies – which bought six Wyevale centres last year – said the sale of these two smaller centres is in line ... 
11 February 2019

Snow puts the freeze on John Lewis sales

Winter weather saw the department store chain’s total sales dip 4.4% for the week, despite a huge uplift in heating products, as the retailer also announces collaboration with Swoon.Trading in the home category was down 6% for the week, whilst ... 
8 February 2019

Ikea opens most sustainable store yet

Ikea UK celebrated the opening of its leading sustainable store in Greenwich yesterday. The store forms part of Ikea’s ongoing city centre approach in London as it responds to the growth of urban living, the shift to a circular economy and changes ... 
8 February 2019

EP Barrus continues expansion with new warehouse

The gardening tools and equipment supplier has expanded its warehouse capacity by a further 11,000sq ft to meet continued demand on the back of a successful 2018, with plans to relocate to a larger permanent warehouse in the future. The decision to ... 
8 February 2019

Dulux Decorator Centre launches new workwear range

Dulux Decorator Centre has overhauled its workwear offering with the launch of a new range, which it will retail across its 204 shops and online.The move follows demand from professional decorators who want “a one-stop shop that’s centered on their ... 
7 February 2019

Retailers urged to stock up on natural slug and snail controls ahead of metaldehyde ban

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has given retailers just six months to stop selling metaldehyde, as fears grow over its impact on wildlife and the environment.The incoming ban was announced in December, with the ... 
7 February 2019

Nearly half of UK retail industry is failing to recognise value of effective pricing

According to a report by Omnia Retail, around 96,000 of the 200,000 registered retailers in the UK are putting their business at risk by failing to grasp the importance of an effective pricing strategy.The pricing and automation specialist said its ... 
7 February 2019

Smart Garden Products pull Briers out of administration

Smart Garden Products have announced the purchase of the Briers business and assets from administrators Duff & Phelps."The business was short of cashflow and their directors were trying to find a buyer for some months without success, eventually ... 
7 February 2019

Latest round of Wyevale centres sold to BGC and Rochmills Group

The six latest sites to be sold are Bold Heath, Carr Gate, Leyland, Coventry and Bolton, which have been snapped by family-run British Garden Centres, whilst Woburn Sands has been bought by Rochmills Group ... 
6 February 2019

New safety mark replacement could cost UK manufacturers millions

A new UK safety mark designed to replace the EU’s ubiquitous CE mark, following a no-deal Brexit will cost British manufacturers and exporters millions of pounds in product stamping, testing and red tape.The warning comes from international courier ... 
5 February 2019

Ironmongery Direct completes major distribution centre expansion

The Manutan European Group, which owns Ironmongery Direct and sister company Electrical Direct has completed a major expansion project – doubling the size of its warehouse, in order to house thousands more new product, and expanding its call centre ... 
5 February 2019

Global DIY Summit's keynote speaker revealed

The Global DIY Summit has announced that John Venhuizen, president and CEO of Ace Hardware, will be the Global DIY Summit’s Keynote Speaker in Dublin on the 6th of June 2019.As head of the World’s largest Hardware Retail Cooperative, serving over 4,... 
4 February 2019

SCS pulls out of talks to buy Sofa.com

Sofa Carpet Specialist (SCS) has issued a statement this morning confirming it is no longer in the running to buy Sofa.com Ltd, as reports suggest that Mike Ashley has already agreed a deal to purchase the business.The furniture and flooring ... 
1 February 2019

RDT offers help during cold weather

As the icy weather has set in once again, industry charity, the Rainy Day Trust has launched its 2019 Emergency Winter Fuel Campaign.Whilst the UK government runs a cold weather payment scheme that pays £25 to those on means-tested welfare benefits ... 
1 February 2019

Jobs on the line with Shop Direct reshuffle

The digital retailer and financial services provider has announced the next phase of changes to its retail team, which could see as many as 100 jobs axed, as it strives to “simplify the business”.Shop Direct, which operates the Littlewoods and Very ... 
31 January 2019

GfK data shows growth across the board

The latest EPOS data from the BHETA GfK is the final quarterly installment from 2018 and the headline is value growth across all the topline categories (Housewares, Small electrical & air treatment, DIY and Garden) when comparing the 12 months ... 
31 January 2019

Lidl creates hundreds of jobs at new warehouse in Doncaster

Lidl UK has announced today the opening of its latest Regional Distribution Centre (RDC), located at iPort in Doncaster, providing a major boost to the local economy through the creation of hundreds of new jobs.The warehouse, which represents a £70m ... 
31 January 2019

Craig & Rose and Soudal join BHETA

It has been announced that Craig & Rose and Soudal have both joined the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA).Craig & Rose was established in 1829 by Scottish entrepreneurs James Craig & Hugh Rose. It became renowned for ... 
31 January 2019

BCT calls in administrators

British Ceramic Tile in Heathfield appointed administrators today blaming challenging trading conditions and the loss of a key customer in recent days.The closure of the business has resulted in 313 redundancies. The remaining 67 employees will ... 
30 January 2019
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