Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Rustic laminate flooring is a trendsetter for next season

The Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring says that manufacturers are kicking off the new laminate flooring season with rustic light and medium earth tones. 
27 March 2014

The Garden Centre Group acquires Brooks Nursery & Garden Centre as its 140th store

After 10 acquisitions in 2013, Brooks Nursery & Garden Centre in Bude, Cornwall, becomes TGCG's 140th store and its first acquisition of 2014. 
26 March 2014

Kingfisher results: stellar year for Screwfix

Screwfix was confirmed today as the star performer of Kingfisher Group's brace of UK businesses as the company announced its preliminary results for 2013/14. 
25 March 2014

High streets draw more independents while chains back out

New figures released today show that entrepreneurship is still thriving in UK high streets, with traditional independent shops increasing whilst chains continue to retreat. 
25 March 2014

First-half profit will almost double at Topps Tiles

Topps Tiles said today that with its strong first-quarter performance having continued into the second it now expects "a significantly improved profit performance" for the year. 
25 March 2014

Kingfisher sells its share of Hornbach and reveals new plan to tackle Chinese DIY market

In a deal struck last night the parent company of B&Q and Screwfix sold its 21.2% stake in German DIY chain Hornbach for £195m. 
25 March 2014

Perfect storm of timber demand creates 'long-term fence shortage'

The destructive storms that raged over the winter and a resurgence in the construction industry have combined to leave the UK with a long-term shortage of fence panels. 
24 March 2014

It's an ill wind as winter storms drive home improvement sales

One of the most extreme winters on record has had a devastating effect on homes across the country - but delivered a huge boost to the home improvement market. 
24 March 2014

Five furnishing chains agree to change pricing practices following OFT investigation

Carpetright and four other firms were all subject to the pricing investigation by the Office of Fair Trading. 
21 March 2014

Scotts "delighted" about Solus acquisition

Still in the period of due diligence, no details of the deal can be released, but supplier Scotts Miracle-Gro confirmed that it is in negotiations to acquire garden wholesale business Solus Garden & Leisure and is pleased with the progress to date. 
21 March 2014

Garden Centre Group names Marie Curie as charity partner

GCG announces its first national charity partnership, pledging to try and raise more than £500,000 for Marie Curie through a programme of gardening-inspired fundraising, volunteering initiatives and commercial activity. 
21 March 2014

Rainy Day Trust says Suttons Seeds is blooming generous

Suttons Seeds has donated dozens of packets of flower seeds for all the beneficiaries of the home improvement industry charity Rainy Day Trust. 
20 March 2014

Great year for Next as profits rise by 11.8%

Next's sales for year ending January 31 2013 grew 5.1%, beating expectations. 
20 March 2014

DIY store targeted by thieves three times in 18 months

Thieves stole £400 worth of stock from Dovercourt DIY store in Kingsway, Essex, after breaking into the backyard. 
20 March 2014

New look for Irish DIY retailer Woodie's

Woodie's DIY drops the DIY from its logo following a rebrand. 
20 March 2014

Wickes supervisor sentenced for pocketing £800 in refund scam

Matthew Ansaldo Taylor was found guilty of falsifying customer details on 12 receipts at the Wickes store in Liverpool. 
20 March 2014

Van Hage and Waitrose unveil plans for joint development

Plans have been revealed that would see Waitrose incorporate a new supermarket on the site of the Van Hage garden centre at Great Amwell, Hertfordshire. 
20 March 2014

Garden Re-Leaf Day boosts charity funds and garden sales

More than 230 garden centres nationwide attracted thousands of customers to special events and fund-raisers last Friday and across the weekend, as part of Garden Re-Leaf Day. 
20 March 2014

February's rain cleared shoppers out of high streets

February's prolonged rain washed shoppers away from high streets and into the more protected environment afforded by out-of-town shopping locations. 
19 March 2014

B&Q makes 100 more redundancies in bid to simplify business

The jobs will be cut from B&Q's head office as the company looks to transform itself into an omnichannel retailer. 
19 March 2014
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