Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Dragons' Den revisits Grillstream

The inventors of the Grillstream grill tray will be featured on Dragons' Den this Sunday in a follow-up program to their first appearance back in August 2009. 
21 October 2010

Family spending power drops further in September

Asda income tracker reports ninth consecutive month of decline, with average UK household £4 a week worse off compared with last year. 
20 October 2010

HRG profits fall as Argos customers feel the pinch

Home Retail Group has confirmed a profit decline of nearly a quarter for the first half of 2010. 
20 October 2010

Home security market set to grow to £100m

Basic home security measures are being ignored, despite the risk of burglary creating a huge security equipment industry, according to new research from Mintel. 
20 October 2010

John Lewis products available for collection from Waitrose

Click and Collect service is rolled out to an additional 21 Waitrose branches, meaning shoppers will now be able pick-up John Lewis products along with their groceries. 
19 October 2010

Notcutts opens second Christmas store

Garden centre chain Notcutts opened the second of its new Deck The Halls Christmas stores in The Centre: MK in Milton Keynes last week. 
19 October 2010

Denby supports Britain's Best

Iconic tableware brand Denby has added its name to the list of big industry names supporting this Year's Britain's Best Retailer Awards. 
19 October 2010

Bents launches Christmas store in shopping centre

Award-winning garden and home centre set to open specialist shop at Liverpool One this month. 
19 October 2010

Hard Landscaping Show moved back to 2012

Marwood Events has announced that the 2011 Hard Landscaping Show (HLS) is moving to 2012. 
19 October 2010

More than 26,500 retailers will dissolve by 2015, says BDO

More than 26,500 retailers could disappear from the high street by 2015 as consumers become increasingly canny, according to new research from accountancy firm BDO. 
18 October 2010

Obituary: Barry Cropper

Barry Cropper (1953 - 2010), formerly of Beachwood Brushes, Mosley-Stone, Stanley, Lynwood Products and latterly A D Plastics, passed away on Wednesday October 6 following a fight against cancer. 
15 October 2010

OFT warns of cowboy traders

As preparations for winter begin the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and Age UK are warning people to be wary of rogue doorstep traders offering home improvement services. 
15 October 2010

SMEs question value of social media, says FPB

More than half of Britain's small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) now use social media, according to a new survey from the Forum of Private Business (FPB). 
15 October 2010

B&Q board changes

Kingfisher group commercial director Veronique Laury is to relocate to the UK from France to head up the commercial team on the B&Q board. 
15 October 2010

Consumers to spend an extra £1.6bn this Christmas

Christmas 2010 is set to be the best Christmas for retailers since 2007, according to a new study from Verdict Research. 
15 October 2010

Currys launches Essentials electricals range

DSG-owned electrical chain Currys has launched no-frills range of small and large kitchen appliances at value prices. 
14 October 2010

Fake trees boost festive sales at John Lewis

Shoppers are preparing for the festive season earlier than ever this year, says John Lewis, as the retailer reports a strong start to Christmas trading. 
14 October 2010

Obituary: Marlows DIY & Garden Centre md Tony Williams

Tony Williams, managing director of Marlows DIY & Garden Centre in Suffolk, passed away on October 1. Here, he is remembered by his daughter Sarah. 
13 October 2010

Consumer confidence takes a tumble ahead of Government Spending Review

Index drops nine points to 53 in September, reversing "temporary uplift" seen in August, as shoppers left uncertain by Government action. 
13 October 2010

Small firms urged to prepare for wintry weather

FPB recommends putting business continuity plans in place, as forecasters predict another harsh, snow-filled winter in the coming months. 
12 October 2010
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