Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

Latest News

Dragons' Den DIY supplier wins 'most innovative' accolade

Wiltshire company Grip It Fixings, which successfully pitched for investment on Dragons' Den, has been named as one of Britain's most ground-breaking businesses. 
9 February 2015

Tile giant Al-Murad asks to withdraw fire-risk 'guilty' plea

Independent tile retail giant Al-Murad is embroiled in a protracted legal wrangle over alleged health and safety breaches. 
9 February 2015

'Sensational' outcome for BHETA Screwfix day

No fewer than 40 Screwfix personnel came along to allow suppliers to 'meet the buyer' at the latest initiative organised by the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA). 
9 February 2015

Tommy Walsh: 'I'm really proud of my £1 tools'

Tommy Walsh has hit back at DIY retailers who have questioned the quality of a range of £1 tools he is set to launch at Poundland
9 February 2015

Floorcoverings market sees steady improvement

A significant decline in the floorcoverings market between 2008 and 2011 has been followed by a moderate but steady improvement. 
9 February 2015

Fiskars joins the BMF

Home and garden products manufacturer Fiskars, is the latest member to join the Builders Merchants Federation, bringing total membership to 472. 
6 February 2015

Johnstone's celebrates 125 years

Decorative brand Johnstone's Paints marks its 125th anniversary this year. 
6 February 2015

Floors-2-Go dismisses rumours of financial strife

Troubled flooring retailer Floors-2-Go has refuted suggestions that it is having financial problems, as regional director Jim Laird insists that the business is "going from strength to strength". 
5 February 2015

DIY Week Awards: Last chance to book

With less than two weeks to go until the evening of DIY Week Awards, and with places going fast, don't miss out on your last chance to be part of this year's leading industry event. 
5 February 2015

Eight years for £14,000 Wickes cash thief

An armed robber who stole £14,000 in cash from a West Midlands branch of Wickes has been jailed for eight years. 
2 February 2015

Topps chooses Knutsford for next boutique store launch

Topps Tiles is to extend its boutique store format with the launch of a new outlet in Knutsford, Cheshire. 
2 February 2015

Indies urged to support Easter egg hunt and boost footfall

The Support for Independent Retail campaign is urging small retailers and towns across the UK to organise and run Easter egg hunts in their areas, as the annual Enjoy an Independent Easter event marks its third year. 
2 February 2015

DIY indies maintain winning sales streak

DIY and hardware independents achieved their fifth quarter of sales increases in a row in the final three months of 2014, according to new figures. 
2 February 2015

Company calls for shops to push bath mat standard

A company boss is calling for wider public awareness of a safety standard for bath and shower mats after highlighting the fact that there are no official statistics kept for slips and falls in the bathroom. 
2 February 2015

Bents completes next phase of major development

The latest phase in the Bents journey has been completed and the centre has announced the opening of six new retail departments, including outdoor clothing retailer Trespass and arts and craft specialists C-Craft. 
2 February 2015

Toolbank signs up with BHETA

Yet another well-known brand, Toolbank, has joined the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA). 
2 February 2015

Sainsburys to offer Argos digital stores in its supermarkets

Homebase and Argos parent Home Retail Group has teamed up with the UK's second largest grocer Sainsbury's to open 10 new Argos digital stores within existing Sainsbury's supermarkets. 
30 January 2015

Big changes at Earlswood Plants

Customers and suppliers of Earlswood Plants in Solihull are being assured that there will be a seamless transfer of business when the firm goes into dormancy this month. 
29 January 2015

The GCA announces the nation's top garden centres at its awards

The winners of the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) annual awards were announced at its conference this week. 
29 January 2015

B&Q fined over health and safety breach

A B&Q store in Greater London has been fined £65,000 for failing to meet health and safety standards in the workplace, following an investigation by Hillingdon Council's food health and safety team. 
29 January 2015
*

Most read stories