Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Countdown to Garden Re-Leaf Day

Garden centres across the UK are putting the final preparations in place for their Garden Re-Leaf Day events next Friday, March 14. 
6 March 2014

New shopping programme for gardeners launches

Gardeners will have offers and advice at their fingertips when a new shopping TV programme dedicated to gardening launches at the weekend. 
6 March 2014

Waitrose and Alan Titchmarsh launch grow-your-own veg

Waitrose is set to make further inroads into the garden market with the launch of a new range of grow-your-own fruit and vegetables in association with Alan Titchmarsh. 
6 March 2014

Prices remain stable in DIY, garden and hardware markets

Like-for-like prices in the DIY, gardening and hardware markets remained stable in February. 
6 March 2014

Shop vacancy figures fall again in February

New figures released today show that town centres are continuing to enjoy a resurgence, with a further fall in the number of empty shops. 
5 March 2014

BRC issues guidelines to protect shop workers from violence

With more than 36,000 reported incidents of abuse and violence against retailers last year, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has issued guidelines with advice on how to protect employees. 
5 March 2014

Cumbrian ironmonger's shop to close

An ironmonger who has worked in his Cumbrian shop since he was a schoolboy is now closing down the business for good. 
5 March 2014

Slees triumphs in Home Hardware's Dulux window contest

Staff at Slees Home Hardware in Braunton, Devon are celebrating after hearing they had won Home Hardware's Dulux window dressing competition. 
5 March 2014

Grafton Group makes strong progress throughout 2013

A stabilised Irish DIY market has seen a revival in the fortunes of the Woodie's chain, and helped parent company Grafton Group deliver an 8% annual rise in revenue. 
5 March 2014

Garsons Garden Centre awards £2.4m catering contract

Garsons Garden Centre in Titchfield, Hampshire has invested £2.4m in its catering offer by awarding a new five-year contract to Compass Group's Instore business. 
4 March 2014

Business rates are not fit for purpose, says MP

A committee of MPs has urged the government to reform business rates in a bid to save the UK high street. 
4 March 2014

DIY bathroom guide launched by Bathrooms.com

Web app launched by Bathrooms.com to help consumers solve DIY problems in the bathroom. 
3 March 2014

Husband and wife retire from running DIY shop after 30 years

Janet and John Hawksworth of J&J Hardware, Saffron Lane, Leicester, retire after running store for 30 years. 
3 March 2014

Scotts and Solus to unite in 2014

Leading garden brand The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and wholesaler Solus Garden & Leisure have revealed plans that would see the businesses join forces in the UK. 
28 February 2014

Carl Kammerling celebrates strongest sales in seven years

2013 was a milestone year for the hand tools and security supplier, who reported a significant increase in sales thanks to a number of marketing-led and sales driven initiatives. 
28 February 2014

Building firms should be required to take on apprentices, say homeowners

Travis Perkins has conducted a survey among homeowners, which reveals what consumers think about apprentices and training. 
28 February 2014

Good year for Travis Perkins but Wickes' profit dips

Growing activity in the housing market delivered a good year for builder's merchant and DIY group Travis Perkins, but investment in pricing proved a drag on profits at its Wickes business. 
27 February 2014

High street sales grow again for ninth consecutive month

Despite the wet weather in recent months, retailers experienced rapid growth in sales in the year to February, beating all expectations. 
27 February 2014

Homebase launches 2014 outdoor living collection and slashes cost of specimen plants

Homebase has added more than 100 pieces of furniture, garden accessories, pots and planters to its outdoor living range for this year. 
27 February 2014

Bathroom retailer Victoria Plumb rapped by ASA

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned Victoria Plum, trading as Victoria Plumb, from showing a misleading advert from its Autumn Savings Event again. 
26 February 2014
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