Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Crown Paints introduces 100% recycled plastic containers

Crown Paints has announced it is set to launch paint containers made from 100% recycled plastic – making it the first paint manufacturer in the UK to do so.The plastic 2.5 litre and 5 litre containers, which will be available across Crown Paints’ ... 
7 August 2018

Bradfords Building Supplies acquires Solo

The independent builders merchant, today, announced the acquisition of Archmartin Ltd, trading as Solo Building Supplies. The deal will see Solo Building Supplies’ site in Penzance, South West Cornwall join Bradfords’ estate of 42 outlets... 
7 August 2018

Online spend reaches highest rate in 2018

Shoppers are spending more online than ever this year, as internet retail records a 16.8% year-on-year growth during H1, with garden one of the top-performing categories.The figure is the highest growth rate for the trading period in eight years and ... 
3 August 2018

Pets at Home delivers good start to the year

The pet products chain said it was “on track” to deliver its plan for the year, as it posted sales growth of nearly 7% forQ1, with like-for-like (LFL) sales up 5.3%, boosted by investment in digital initiatives.Group revenue, including Pets at Home’... 
3 August 2018

Retail salaries hit a five-month high

According to the latest findings from the UK’s independent job board, CV-Library, average salaries for retail roles has hit a five-month high in July, and pay has increased by 1.1% month-on-month.The job board explored data taken from its own site ... 
3 August 2018

Squire’s Garden Centres purchases Frensham Garden Centre

D. J. Squire & Co. Ltd (Squire’s) and Wheelhouse Warehousing Ltd has announced the purchase of Frensham Garden Centre by Squire’s from Wheelhouse. The purchase was completed on 1 August 2018.Under the terms of the agreement, which was signed in ... 
2 August 2018

Two more DIY names join BHETA

LadderLimb and Fix-A-Floor are the latest DIY companies to sign up as members of the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA).One of this year’s DIY Week Award finalists, Fix-A-Floor repair adhesive is an extra-strength bonding adhesive ... 
1 August 2018

Squire’s opens new café at Washington centre

Family-run chain Squire’s Garden Centres has announced the latest in a series of revamps across its portfolio, with the opening of a stylish new Café Bar at its branch in Washington, West Sussex.The new-look eatery features beautiful new furniture ... 
1 August 2018

Travis Perkins faces decline in "challenging period"

Wickes parent company Travis Perkins plc has today announced its half year results for the six months ended 30 June 2018.The company reported a revenue growth of 4.4% with like-for-like growth of 4.2%. Good trading performance in the trade focused ... 
31 July 2018

Kelkay acquires wooden furniture and garden structures firm, Anchor Fast

Kelkay Ltd, which was bought by US public company, Griffon Corporation earlier this year, has announced the acquisition of the Doncaster-based outdoor wooden furniture and garden structures manufacturer, Anchor Fast. The deal marks another step in ... 
31 July 2018

Kingfisher introduces energy storage batteries in B&Q

Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, has unveiled plans to install energy storage batteries at B&Q’s Swindon distribution centre. The installation is the latest milestone in Kingfisher’s strategic roadmap for sustainable ... 
30 July 2018

Dobbies announces new CEO, confirming Nicholas Marshall’s departure

After months of speculation in the industry, Dobbies Garden Centres confirms Nicholas Marshall has left the business, with an announcement that chief operating officer Graeme Jenkins is stepping into the role.Rumours began circulating in January ... 
27 July 2018

Yorkshire grower leads fight against plastic waste

Commercial horticultural nursery Johnsons of Whixley is trailing a new type of plant pot that is detectable by recycling centres, to help lead the fight against plastic waste in the industry.Johnsons’ new cream-coloured plant pots are detectable by ... 
27 July 2018

B&Q kicks off kitchen & bathroom recruitment drive

Following a shake-up of its kitchen and bathroom sales process, DIY giant, B&Q has now begun recruiting 800 new colleagues to its showroom areas. The retailer says the move “reinforces its commitment to the kitchens and bathrooms market”. It ... 
26 July 2018

BREAKING NEWS: Blue Diamond to take on eight Wyevale centres

Wyevale Garden Centres has agreed the sale of eight of its largest garden centres to Alan Roper’s Blue Diamond chain.Currently the UK’s third biggest garden centre operator, Blue Diamond will grow its portfolio to 29 with the acquisition ... 
25 July 2018

SCA Timber changes name to SCA Wood

SCA has officially changed its business name from SCA Timber and will now be called SCA Wood.The SCA Group has six business areas: wood products, forestry, pulp, paper, energy and logistics. The company believes the name change from SCA Timber ... 
25 July 2018

Businesses being held back by UK tax system

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling for a cut to tax complexity and the ‘red tape’ that it says is hindering British businesses.The vast majority of UK businesses believe the cost of complying with the UK tax system has escalated over ... 
25 July 2018

Hultafors Group acquires Hellberg Safety

The Hultafors Group which owns Snickers Workwear, Solid Gear Safety Footwear and Hultafors Tools has acquired Scandinavia’s Leading PPE Innovator, Hellberg Safety. Hellberg Safety has been manufacturing specialist PPE Equipment since 1962 . Its range ... 
25 July 2018

SP Group in administration

The Redditch-based POS and retail display firm, which has worked with a number of major high streets retailers and brands, has called in administrators after losing key contracts, including Sainsbury’s, and suffering “a significant decline in ... 
25 July 2018

Tile Mountain targets 15 locations across UK

The online tile retailer’s chairman Mo Iqbal revealed plans for 15 physical showrooms within the UK, following the success of its two branches in Stoke and Manchester.Speaking to DIY Week, Mr Iqbal said: “We believe, if we put 15 locations across ... 
24 July 2018
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