Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Rogue trader gang targets consumers with cookware

Knutsford is being targeted by a gang trying to sell bogus kitchenware direct to consumers. 
20 August 2012

Atlantic Homecare granted more time to save itself

Beleaguered Irish retail chain Atlantic Homecare has been given more time by the High Court to try to turn its fortunes around. 
20 August 2012

Household goods retail sales volumes up 2% in July...

...And overall retail sales volumes defied expectations of a 0.1% fall to climb 0.3% between June and July 2012 according to the latest from the Office for National Statistics. 
17 August 2012

Garden centre boosts employee numbers despite recession

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre in Powys is bucking the national trend for job cuts and recruitment freeze by employing more staff this month. 
16 August 2012

Dulux trials new packaging with 70% less plastic

The paint brand is continuing its sustainability drive with new eco-refill paint pouches, which it claims "offer more than 70% reduction in landfill waste" when compared with the current standard 2.5 litre can. 
16 August 2012

Catering continues to bolster garden centre sales

The GCA's Barometer of Trade for July reveals that garden centres are still relying on their catering operations to boost overall sales, as other categories struggle. 
16 August 2012

Mascot makes an appearance on Big Brother

Workwear brand gains exposure and reaches millions of viewers via 2012 series of Channel 5's Big Brother, as housemates don Mascot padded range for a week. 
15 August 2012

Cash mob boosts local DIY store

New trend for 'cash mobbing' where customers visit a store en masse at an agreed time to spend money is gathering pace, recently boosting sales for US DIY store Crowder Bros Ace Hardware. 
15 August 2012

Shoppers camp out to get first glimpse of all-new Wilko

Broadway characters from Marilyn Monroe to the Cowardly Lion and Mary Poppins entertained hundreds of visitors to the newest Wilko store in Crawley this morning, some of whom had camped out overnight to get the first look at the experimental new format. 
15 August 2012

DIY personalities hit the target at charity clay pigeon shoot

More than 70 retailers, suppliers and wholesalers from the home improvement industry took part in a charity clay pigeon shoot at the Royal Berkshire shooting school recently, raising more than £7,000. 
14 August 2012

Santa Claus is coming to town - in August!

A general goods retailer in Eastbourne is hosting Santa's workshop this weekend, despite forecasters predicting up to 32C heat in the seaside town. 
14 August 2012

Denby site to add garden centre and retail complex

The Derbyshire site of tableware manufacturer Denby is poised for a dramatic new development that will see the addition of a garden centre, hotel, pub and retail complex. 
14 August 2012

Anti-riot shop shutters planning move scrapped by government

A proposal to cut planning restrictions on retailers who want to install security shutters following the August 2011 riots has allegedly been scrapped by the government, for fear of creating "an unwelcoming environment" in towns. 
13 August 2012

Warrington will be third site for Next DIY and garden outlet

Next will continue the rollout of its new DIY and garden centre format when it launches a third outlet later this year. 
13 August 2012

Wells high street indies launch joint ecommerce venture

Independent stores in Wells, Somerset, are fighting back against competition from online traders by clubbing together and launching a joint ecommerce website. 
13 August 2012

Virgin Experience Days go into first garden centres

A number of centres operated by The Garden Centre Group will be the first in the market to take on Virgin Experience Days concessions. 
13 August 2012

Wilko launches new 'experimental' format store

Wilkinson trials new store format in Crawley, adopting 'Wilko' name and featuring multi-channel offer with click and collect service. 
10 August 2012

Dewalt launches sport radio ad campaign

Power tool brand Dewalt has announced the launch of a targeted four-week campaign with the UK's biggest national commercial sports radio station, talkSPORT, to promote the launch of its 4.0Ah XR Lithium-Ion battery. 
9 August 2012

Chomette in administration

London-based housewares distributor Chomette has gone into administration, though is continuing to trade. 
9 August 2012

New developments at Cardwell Garden Centre mark 50 years

A Renfrewshire garden centre is marking its 50th anniversary this year with the introduction of a new customer reward card and an ecommerce website. 
8 August 2012
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