Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Furniture Village rapped for bed promotion

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint by a consumer who had rushed to make a purchase before a sale ended, only to see the price drop further. The ad watchdog said future ads must make the base of savings clear, so as not to ... 
14 June 2019

Screwfix scraps DIY Express format

Kingfisher confirms the remaining Shepton Mallett branch has now reverted to a Screwfix, as the business moves away from its trial of the dedicated DIY store format.The 5,000sq ft DIY Express store in Shepton Mallett opened on Haskins Retail Estate ... 
13 June 2019

Amazon and Morrisons to expand ‘ultra-fast same-day’ home delivery

The online giant and supermarket chain will roll the ‘Morrisons at Amazon’ store on Prime Now service out to more cities across the UK, including Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool, Sheffield and Portsmouth.The same-day online grocery home delivery ... 
13 June 2019

Real progress made with recyclable pots in garden industry

A meeting of the Nursery Working Group on June 6 demonstrated the substantial progress made by the industry towards the adoption of kerbside recyclable non-black plant pots.Growers attending the meeting reported that they have all moved away from ... 
12 June 2019

Increase in pass rates of underage knife test purchases but “still work to do”, says independent auditor

Despite major high street names being caught out on test purchases recently, new data suggests retailers are stepping up action to keep knives out of the hands of underage shoppers, with audit pass rates jumping from to 82% in 2018. However, online ... 
12 June 2019

Debenhams says challenges to CVA are “without merit”, as Mike Ashley launches legal battle

House of Fraser and Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has submitted a legal challenge to Debenhams’ company voluntary arrangement (CVA), which was approved by the department store’s creditors last month.However, Debenham’s new owners’ say the claims... 
11 June 2019

Toolstation to start stocking boilers

For the first time Toolstation has added boilers into its central heating range and will offer a complete range from Vokèra by Riello.Toolstation will carry three different combi boilers and two system boilers, along with flue kits and accessories, ... 
11 June 2019

N&C Tiles & Bathrooms wins retail category at the TTA Awards

The tile chain took home the accolade for Excellence in Retail at the annual awards ceremony, in “recognition of its efforts to improve tile retailing”, says the TTA.Detailing the reason for N&C’s win, the TTA explained that the retailer’s brand ... 
11 June 2019

John Lewis announces integration of home improvement services

As part of its strategy to expand beyond shops and online into new and enhanced services, John Lewis & Partners has announced plans to expand its offering, so it now not only furnishes homes but also extends and renovates them. John Lewis already ... 
11 June 2019

Nicholls & Clarke opens dedicated paint centre

The building products manufacturer and distributor has celebrated the opening of a new, dedicated paint store in Edmonton, North London.The branch will trade under ‘The Paint Centre by N&C’ and offers painting and decorating solutions for both ... 
11 June 2019

High street footfall drops 4.8% in May but long-term trend is positive

The latest figures from the BRC and Springboard reveal that the UK experienced its worst footfall in six years last month, with declines across all regions and retail locations, as colder weather and ongoing political uncertainty “made consumers ... 
10 June 2019

Stax expands wall and floor tile offer

The UK wholesaler has “taken positive steps” to combat issues in tile supply chain and revealed details of 14 new designs and collections recently added to its product range.The new tile ranges include classic designs, as well as modern, plain and ... 
7 June 2019

Tinder for retail buyers secures £300k funding

A “game-changing” online platform, which works to bring retail buyers and suppliers together and counts John Lewis, Tesco and TK Maxx amongst its customers, has secured a six-figure investment.Glasgow-based start-up firm, Product Guru is described ... 
7 June 2019

Tile Mountain on a mission to modernise the tile market

Following its recent acquisitions of Capitol Tiles and Walls & Floors, Tile Mountain - now the UK’s largest privately-owned tile retailer – has invested in digitalising its new wholesale arm and is still working to open new UK showrooms that ... 
6 June 2019

John Lewis to trial VR experience

The department store chain will trial a new virtual reality experience to enable customers to visualise new products in their homes before they buyThe new retail experience, dubbed ‘Visualise Your Space’ is designed to help customers determine what ... 
6 June 2019

Delegates warned of the danger of protectionism to global trade at Global DIY Summit

In light of greater trade tariffs imposed by countries like China and the USA, Deloitte chief economist discusses why protectionism is so harmful to the global economy and the damage it is doing to world growth.The seventh Global DIY Summit kicked ... 
6 June 2019

Wickes ‘half price’ kitchen advert banned

The home improvement retailer has been ordered to withdraw a misleading ad promoting savings on a kitchen range after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received a number of complaints, including challenges raised by product tester and ... 
5 June 2019

Homeowners worry over-the-top smart security might attract burglars

Recent research revealed the growing number of homeowners installing smart home devices to deter invaders, with smart surveillance cameras the most popular purchase, although nearly half of those surveyed worry an over-the-top show of technology ... 
5 June 2019

John Lewis sales continue downward trend

The department store chain’s total sales were down again this past week, with a 3.5% slump due to a combined impact of warm weather and annualising price-matching competitor activity.Home sales were down 1.4% on last year. However furniture and ... 
5 June 2019

Wilko to relocate in Ashton-under-Lyne

The home and garden retailer will close its existing store in the Arcade Shopping Centre later this month and re-open a new site in the Tameside One development less than a mile away.The 7,000sq ft Tameside development has been built to provide a ... 
5 June 2019
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