Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Online spending continues to see growth

Today’s ONS retail sales figures revealed that online spending continues to rise. The percentage of online purchases has risen by 8.0% in March 2019 in comparison to March 2018.The sector has witnessed tremendous growth the results report, with ... 
18 April 2019

Topps Tiles acquires controlling stake in Strata Tiles

In a bid to further grow its commercial business, Topps has paid £3.3million for 80% of the issued share capital of Strata Tiles Ltd, a supplier of tiles to the commercial market ... 
18 April 2019

Debenhams CEO plans exit, as shareholder stakes wiped out

Sergio Bucher is reportedly planning to step down from his role at the department store chain within the next few days, following the appointment of administrators and the suspension of shares, announced last week.The de-listing of shares, announced ... 
18 April 2019

Wickes targets easter weekend DIY-ers in new campaign

Wickes, the home improvement retailer, has today launched its first ever digital out of home and radio roadblock campaign to capture the attention of consumers during the busiest period of the year for DIY.Devised by out-of-home (OOH) and location ... 
18 April 2019

Value of UK pet market set to hit £7billion by 2021

The market continues to see growth, as millennials’ passion for pampering pets fuels demand for fashionable, luxurious accessories. Even in turbulent economic times, Brits are putting pets’ wellbeing before their own – and that’s music to the ears of ... 
17 April 2019

Crown invites politicians to discuss innovation in the North of England

Crown Paints recently welcomed MP for Rossendale and Darwen Jake Berry and chief secretary to the Treasury, Liz Truss MP, to its UK headquarters in Darwen, Lancashire, to take a tour of the paint manufacturing facility and attend a Q&A session ... 
17 April 2019

Wyevale changes loyalty scheme and scraps own-brand gift cards

Wyevale Garden Centres has announced an update to its Garden Club loyalty scheme, which will see the collection of loyalty points replaced with an instant discount every time members shop.The changes, which have been introduced in time for the ... 
17 April 2019

Turnaround on track, says Homebase

Home improvement and garden retailer appears on more solid footing, as it delivers 21.8% jump in gross profit and £100million cost savings, as turnaround programme is in full swing, with store closures, rent reductions and re-introduction of ... 
17 April 2019

Woodland Trust partners with biochar supplier Carbon Gold

The Woodland Trust has partnered with UK biochar supplier Carbon Gold to support the charity’s tree planting and preservation activities across the UK.The announcement will see 10p from the sale of each of Carbon Gold’s biochar planting aids and ... 
16 April 2019

High street footfall sees growth in Spring

Figures released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has shown footfall has increased in March, at 1.4%, compared to the previous year when it fell by 6.0%. On a three-month basis, footfall dropped by 0.3%. The six and twelve–month averages are ... 
15 April 2019

Notcutts celebrates success at annual conference

Family-owned garden centre group, Notcutts Garden Centres, has hosted its annual conference and awards dinner to celebrate the success of colleagues and teams across its 18 garden centres nationwide. Hosted on March 20 in Maldon, Essex, the ... 
15 April 2019

BHETA holds successful event for manufacturers and distributors

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA)’s most recent ‘Meet the Buyer’ day, with Toolstation, took place this month and proved beneficial for the manufacturer and distributor companies who attended. With the Toolstation buying team, ... 
12 April 2019

Easter promotions set to help sales climb at John Lewis

Despite 5.8% drop in total sales for the week, against strong figures last year due to the early Easter, sales picked up at the weekend, as customers took advantage of newly-launch Easter promotions.Home sales were down 3.9% for the week but gifts, ... 
12 April 2019

What the future holds for Dulux Academy, as it turns three

Akzo Nobel’s state-of-the art training facility celebrated its third anniversary last month and DIY Week caught up with Academy lead Vickie Mather to talk about trends in the market and what plans are in the pipeline for the future ... 
12 April 2019

Wincanton secures Homebase contract

Wincanton has won the contract to provide a fully-managed customer order delivery service for Homebase. The deal involves the provision of carrier management, invoice validation and Drop Ship Vendor services, which are part of the logistic firm’s ... 
11 April 2019

Dobbies snaps up 31 Wyevale centres

Dobbies Garden Centres has announced the acquisition of a further 31 centres from Wyevale, following its deal last autumn to take on six sites, including Woodcote Green Garden Centre.The latest purchase increases the Dobbies estate to 69 centres, ... 
10 April 2019

Benjamin Moore opens second UK showroom

Following the success of the North American paint brand’s first showroom in Chelsea, which opened in October 2017, Benjamin Moore has opened a second UK location, with a new, even larger showroom in Wilmslow, Cheshire.Situated in the centre of ... 
10 April 2019

Mike Ashley calls Debenhams administration a “national scandal”

House of Fraser and Sports Direct owner says situation is “tragedy” and was “totally unavoidable”, as Debenhams is placed in the hands of lenders in a pre-pack administration, wiping out his 30% stake in the department store chain.Angered that his ... 
9 April 2019

Debenhams in administration

The department store chain has just announced the appointment of administrators, as it has fallen into the hands of its lenders, after much speculation in the press when it was revealed the business had refused Mike Ashley’s £150million rescue plan.... 
9 April 2019

Stax gears up to welcome the Rawltruck

Stax Trade Centres in Manchester and Birmingham are set to play host to a visit by the RawlTruck roadshow, which recently set off on a major European tour.The roadshow celebrates 100 years of the Rawlplug brand, and it will be bringing a variety of ... 
9 April 2019
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