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Howdens cancels retail accounts with DIY stores and builders merchants

A number of DIY retailers and builders merchants across an area of London received calls from a Howdens depot this week, telling them their accounts with the joinery supplier were being closed forthwith because they "did not want anyone re-selling our doors." 
26 April 2012

Electrical distributor Inman in administration

Sheffield-based electrical goods wholesaler and national distributor Inman & Co has been closed down after going into administration. 
25 April 2012

Britain back in recession, but retail made "positive contribution" to GDP

The latest preliminary estimate from the Office of National Statistics shows the country is technically in a double-dip recession, with the GDP having contracted by 0.2% in Q1 following a 0.3% shrinkage in Q4 2011, but sector insight shows positive growth in the retail sector. 
25 April 2012

The Garden Store takes over Burford Garden Centre

The Garden Store Group has taken over the Burford Garden Company's 10-hectare garden centre located at Burford House in Tenbury, Wiltshire. 
25 April 2012

Just 2.25% of DIY sales were made online in 2011

The bulky and "sometimes hazardous" nature of DIY products ramps up home delivery costs and means online orders have seen only limited growth in recent years, according to a new sector insight report into DIY retailing. 
25 April 2012

Robert Dyas denies R Capital is potential buyer

The home and hardware chain has refuted claims in the press that restaurant and health club owner R Capital is among the four or five potential buyers currently caught up in a bidding war over the retailer. 
25 April 2012

Carpetright sees UK sales decline by 3.2% but like-for-likes up 1.4%

The carpet and floor coverings retailer announced group sales had dropped by 4.2% in the 11 weeks to April 14, 2012, with total sales across Europe decreasing by 4.7%, a LfL drop of 4.4%. 
24 April 2012

Rolawn's fighting fit efforts raise £1,300 for Greenfingers

Staff at Rolawn took part in a range of fundraising activities - from a sponsored slim to a 70mile bike ride - and put on discounts for their online customers to raise money as part of their Garden Re-Leaf Day effort. 
24 April 2012

Irish DIY businesses bought by Harleston Group

Irish tiles and bathroom retailer Tubs and Tiles, and heating and plumbing supplier Heat Merchant have been bought by Hevac Ltd parent group Harleston. 
23 April 2012

Gorilla Glue’s Simon Damp features on TV shopping channel

European sales director Simon Damp has become a regular demonstrator of Gorilla Glue products on live TV shopping channel QVC after being approached by the channel during a Totally DIY show four years ago. 
23 April 2012

Poor furniture and flooring sales drive down Irish retail in Q1

Ireland's retail industry suffered its 12th consecutive quarter of declining sales during its 2012 Q1 trading period, but there was some light at the end of the tunnel as retail sales for March recorded a like-for-like increase of 0.73%. 
23 April 2012

B&Q wins a Queen's Award for sustainability

The DIY retailer won one of the Queen's Awards for Enterprise in recognition of its work as a sustainable business and its efforts improving the sustainability of people's homes. 
23 April 2012

Floors-2-Go buys Allied Floors out of administration

Flooring retailer bought as a going concern within hours of appointing administrators on Friday. 
23 April 2012

Homewares sales praised for John Lewis' 14% LfL growth

The John Lewis partnership released positive post-Easter sales figures today, showing sales at £61.09m for the department store, up 13.9% on the same period last year. 
20 April 2012

Totally DIY moves to new venue for 2013

Totally DIY, the UK's main exhibition for the home improvement market, is moving venues for 2013. 
20 April 2012

March sees household goods sales boost, but BCC warns retail is still in trouble

Sunny weather helped give sales volume of household goods a like-for-like boost of 2.5% this March, according to the Office for National Statistics, with the value of sales rising by 2% - the largest increase since January 2011. 
20 April 2012

Solus and Greenfingers 'turn old into gold'

Garden, leisure and home décor wholesaler Solus has joined forces with the Greenfingers charity for its 2012 fundraiser - auctioning unwanted stock from horticultural businesses all over the UK. 
20 April 2012

Morrisons makes its move on the garden industry

The supermarket retailer has opened 129 temporary garden centres in recent months - and it looks as if these are here to stay as it revealed this week that the new additions to its stores will remain open over the lucrative summer period. 
19 April 2012

Tile Depot becomes newest member of the Tile Association

The south east-based tile retailer has confirmed it has joined the association, which provides technical support to members and customers as wells as promoting high standards in the tiling industry. 
19 April 2012

Scammers target Totally DIY exhibitors again

In a repeat of a scam previously publicised by DIYWeek.net, a Mexican-based company is once again targeting exhibitors at the Totally shows to update 'free' listings in the Expo Guide which could ultimately end up costing them thousands of pounds a year. 
18 April 2012
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