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71% of homeowners suffer from renovation uncertainty says DigitalBridge

Almost three-quarters (71%) of UK homeowners wouldn’t know where to start if they wanted to complete a bathroom refurbishment, new research has revealed.The survey, completed on 1,100 consumers by DigitalBridge, found that just 5% of people would ... 
25 May 2018

ERA teams up with security app developer Safeland

ERA, the UK’s home security specialist, has teamed up with Safeland, a company that has designed a unique app to help communities feel safer and better protected against crime. Focusing on the idea that crimes may be reduced or prevented if members ... 
25 May 2018

BREAKING NEWS: Wesfarmers sells Homebase, describing business as "disappointing investment"

Bunnings parent Wesfarmers today announced it has agreed to divest the Homebase business to Hilco Capital for just £1, as it said the “risks associated with a turnaround don’t justify the additional investment and management required”.Under the ... 
25 May 2018

Sugru parent company bought by Tesa

The London-based company FormFormForm Ltd which launched kneadable glue product, Sugru, is set to become a fully-owned subsidiary of German firm, Tesa SE. Thus.Adhesive manufacturer Tesa says the acquisition “strengthens its market position in self-... 
24 May 2018

April retail figures show welcome boost in sales

Retail sales for April increased by 1.6%, as figures from the Office for National Statistics shows a positive step for UK high streets, after adverse weather conditions and economic difficulties caused a lack of footfall and consumer spending.Month-... 
24 May 2018

Former Golden Acres MD snaps up Home & Garden Group’s Stansted Park centre

Paul Richards, who sold his Golden Acres business to Wyevale in 2015 before developing the Mappleborough Green Garden Centre brand, has acquired Stansted Stansted Park Garden Centre in Hampshire, as administrators seek buyers for Home & Garden Group’s nine centres... 
24 May 2018

Mano Mano launches web series to find the ultimate DIY project

Online DIY and gardening marketplace Mano Mano has commissioned a new European-wide web series dedicated to championing extreme and inventive DIY projects, with the search launching today, on International DIY Day.The series is on the look-out for ... 
24 May 2018

Harsh weather conditions hit sales at Kingfisher

Parent company of B&Q and Screwfix, Kingfisher plc, has announced its trading update up to April 30 2018.Quarter 1 LFL sales has been reported as down by 4.0% reflecting, what the company describes as "unusually adverse weather conditions" which ... 
24 May 2018

Tesco closes non-food website putting 500 jobs at risk

Tesco has conducted a detailed review of Tesco Direct, its non-food website, and has concluded that, despite its best efforts, there is no route to profitability for this small, loss-making part of the business.Tesco Direct will cease trading on 9 ... 
23 May 2018

Kingfisher puts customers at the heart of sustainable growth plan

Kingfisher plc has set out its sustainability targets for the next seven years, the latest stage of its journey to become a net positive business by 2050. The Sustainable Growth Plan contains ambitious goals for Kingfisher’s operations, including a ... 
23 May 2018

Wyevale Garden Centres put up for sale by Terra Firma

Wyevale Garden Centres (WGC), the UK’s biggest garden centre operator, has been put up for sale by Terra Firma as it seeks to complete a full exit for investors from its third fund, TFCPIII.Christie & Co, the specialist business property advisor,... 
22 May 2018

Topps Tiles remains confident in extending its position in the market

Topps Tiles Plc, the UK's tile specialist, announces its interim results for the 26 weeks ended 31 March 2018, reporting first half like-for-like sales growing by 0.6%, reflecting strong trading in Q1 (+3.4%) followed by a more challenging market in ... 
22 May 2018

GREATsoils event successful as threat of soil erosion continues

Wyevale Nurseries last Wednesday (May 16, 2018) helped to host an event dedicated to good soil management practice.Wyevale Nurseries alongside Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and ADAS hosted a GREATsoils (Growing Resilient, ... 
21 May 2018

Carpetright plans to raise £60m in fundraising

Carpetright has formally announced the fundraising as part of its restructuring plan to rescue the business.In a statement, Carpetright has said: "The Board of Carpetright is pleased to announce a fully underwritten proposed share issue to raise net ... 
18 May 2018

International journalists visit Squire’s in Twickenham

Gardening journalists from across Europe visited Squire’s Garden Centre in Twickenham last Wednesday 16th May on a study tour to look at some of the best UK garden centres. Delegates came from many European countries including Germany, France, The ... 
18 May 2018

Smart Garden opens new hub and makes the FT 1,000

Following last month’s listing in the Financial Times as one of the fastest- growing companies in Europe, Smart Garden Products announces it has opened its new 250,000sq ft warehouse in Peterborough.Smart Garden was delighted to be named in the FT ... 
17 May 2018

BHETA secures major retailers to speak at forums

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association’s forums this autumn will feature guest speakers from Lakeland and US giant The Home Depot.The Home Depot managing director of European sourcing, Massimiliano Zampella will present at the BHETA forum on ... 
17 May 2018

Wet weather dampens footfall in April

Retailers on the high street challenged by “thrifty consumer” and poor weather, as footfall drops 3.3% year on year, compared with 1.6% uplift last AprilThe decline is in line with the three-month average of -3.5 and below the 12-month average of -1.... 
16 May 2018

DIY and homeware stores the worst offenders in underage knife sales

Despite running the risk of facing penalties, a high percentage of high street retailers still failed mystery shopper tests last year, with homeware and DIY stores said to be the worst culprits, selling knives to four in ten young customers without ... 
16 May 2018

Wickes to cut 100 head office jobs

Wickes has announced it will axe 100 head office jobs from its base in Watford as a cost-saving strategy amongst difficult trading conditions.The retailer said: “In order to continue to drive growth for our business, we have been re-shaping our ... 
16 May 2018
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