Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Next revises profit forecast upward

Next upped its forecast for annual pre-tax profit today as it revealed its performance for the third quarter to October 27. 
31 October 2012

Electric-shock adaptor and inverter withdrawn

A travel plug adaptor and a power inverter have both been withdrawn from the market because they can give users an electric shock. 
30 October 2012

DIY Week Awards gain Ambassador Tools sponsorship

Another high-profile name has given its support to the DIY Week 2012 Awards. 
30 October 2012

Avocado knife scoops global design award

The new avocado knife from Kuhn Rikon's successful Colori collection of kitchen knives and gadgets has won an international design accolade. 
29 October 2012

Ilminster Home Hardware launches

Somerset's former Town & Country Hardware store has been transformed into Ilminster Home Hardware, and new owners Phillip and Kate Wyatt launched the store officially earlier this month with the help of the town mayor Roger Swann. 
29 October 2012

Loch Lomond Garden Centre fined for sewage offence

A West Dunbartonshire garden centre has been fined for discharging insufficiently-treated sewage into a local waterway. 
29 October 2012

Ironmongery Direct orders up 26% since relocation

Since Ironmongery Direct moved to its premises in Basildon a year ago the company has reported that new customers are up 26% on last year and on track to recruit 60,000 new customers this year alone. 
29 October 2012

Rising star B&M 'set to challenge Tesco'

UK discount retailer B&M is among a handful of retailers across Europe that could be challenging the likes of Tesco and Carrefour within 10 to 15 years. 
29 October 2012

Travis Perkins Group donates to The Coldest Journey

A specially-designed kitchen and building materials worth £10,000 have been donated by the Travis Perkins Group to Antarctic expedition The Coldest Journey, led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. 
29 October 2012

Christmasworld package includes garden centres tour

The organisers of Christmasworld have put together a special package for UK visitors that includes a trip to the show and a tour of leading German garden centres around Frankfurt. 
29 October 2012

Obituary: Martyn Hocking

Former DIY Week news editor Martyn Hocking died on Friday October 19 after a battle with cancer. He was 48. 
26 October 2012

QEP acquires Ludell and Imperial Industries

Just one month after its acquisition of Nupla, QEP has now taken on two more companies - Ludell and Imperial Industries. 
26 October 2012

GCG to buy up to 70 new centres by 2019

Acting Garden Centre Group ceo Stephen Murphy has announced that the 129-centre chain could expand by up to 70 more centres in the next five to seven years. 
26 October 2012

Klondyke reopens Wilmslow Garden Centre after fire

Wilmslow Garden Centre has reopened following last June's devastating fire at the Cheshire outlet. 
26 October 2012

Debenhams posts 2.6% sales upturn in yearly results

UK segment sales at the multi-channel brand were up 2.6% for the 52 weeks ending September 1, 2012. 
26 October 2012

Retail jobs grow by 2.9% as UK economy exits recession

The third quarter of 2012 has seen retail employment grow by the fastest rate in two years, as well as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 1%, pulling the UK out of the longest double-dip recession since World War II. 
25 October 2012

Hozelock appoints new CEO following French takeover

Hozelock ceo David Algar is being replaced by Marc Ballu, a third generation member of the Ballu family who own Exel Industries, the company which took over the gardening supplier just weeks ago. 
25 October 2012

GCA announces Ruxley Rose winners

Eleven garden centres have been named regional winners of the GCA's Ruxley Rose competition, which recognises excellent quality and range of plants. 
25 October 2012

Kitchen retailer promised "solid granite" but delivered laminate

The Advertising Standards Agency has banned an advert from Really Cheap Kitchens after a customer enquired about a £795 granite worktop kitchen and was told the worktops were laminate and the price did not include fitting costs. 
24 October 2012

Argos outlines plan to switch from catalogues to digital

Argos intends to transform itself from a catalogue-led business to a digitally-led business, parent Home Retail Group said today as it revealed its results for the half year to September 1 2012. 
24 October 2012
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