Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Carpetright to open standalone bed stores

Floorcoverings retailer to rebrand five of its existing carpet outlets as 'Sleepright by Carpetright'. 
23 September 2011

Suspicious fire at Wickes store

Police are appealing for witnesses after a suspicious fire broke out at a Wickes store in Worksop on Saturday night. 
22 September 2011

Bents celebrates 10 years with 10 tiers

Bents Home & Garden is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Fresh Approach Restaurant with a 10-tier cake created by the restaurant team. 
22 September 2011

Tesco teams up with Crimestoppers

Supermarket chain to offer 'property protector' kit instore alongside its range of electrical security accessories. 
22 September 2011

Last chance to sponsor charity skydive

DIY Week's Rachael Lyon and former editor Will Parsons are joining 16 other volunteers taking part in the inaugural Rainy Day Trust tandem parachute jump this weekend. 
22 September 2011

Mako opens new Burnley unit

Paintbrush and roller maker Mako UK has moved to new premises in Burnley, with a spacious showroom, improved order processing and advanced IT support. 
21 September 2011

Lloyds starts sale of Garden Centre Group

Lloyds Banking Group has begun the process of selling the Garden Centre Group, with a deal expected to raise £300m. 
21 September 2011

Pextons Hardware set to open standalone cookshop

The award-winning York retailer has announced plans to open a new cookshop in the city in around six weeks' time. 
21 September 2011

Golden opportunity at Solus show

Solus is opening up its extensive Droitwich showroom for a pre-season trade event from October 3-14. 
16 September 2011

B&Q sales dip 2% in first half

Kingfisher-owned DIY chain manages to grow profits but blames tough retail environment and Focus clearance sale for decline in sales in H1. 
15 September 2011

Garden centres take advantage of early autumn

Garden retailers are reporting strong sales of bulbs and autumn bedding as an early autumn sets in, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has reported. 
14 September 2011

Online and multi-channel drives sales growth at John Lewis

As a "highly competitive trading environment" impacts on John Lewis' profits for the first half, online sales soar 27%, with predictions johnlewis.com could achieve a turnover of £1bn by 2014. 
14 September 2011

Home Retail appoints Habitat md

Home Retail Group (HRG) has appointed a new managing director for Habitat. 
14 September 2011

UK housing market remains subdued

Economic uncertainty and lack of mortgage finance led to a decline in the number of property sales over the past three months. 
13 September 2011

Homebase trials decorating service

Homebase is testing several new ranges and services as part of its strategy to become 'first for decorating'. 
13 September 2011

B&Q parent steps up investment in Russia

Kingfisher group to plough £115m into opening nine new Castorama home improvement stores over next two years. 
12 September 2011

Homebase launches interactive touch screens

Homebase has launched 'Create the Look' touch screens at its Aylesford branch to help customers visualise different products in their homes. 
9 September 2011

Yeoman celebrates 21 years with world record attempt

Solus garden tool brand Yeoman is celebrating its 21st anniversary with a Guinness World Record attempt. 
9 September 2011

GIMA shows support for DIY Week Awards

DIY Week is delighted to add the Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) to a growing list of sponsors for the 2011 DIY Week Awards. 
9 September 2011

UK vacancy rate stabilises in H1 but only prime retail destinations see the benefits

Retailers are cutting their losses and closing older and poor performing outlets in secondary locations, in a bid to boost sales and footfall in a continuing tough climate. 
9 September 2011
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