Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

Latest News

Next to open DIY and garden superstore next week

Fashion chain Next opens its new superstore in Shoreham next week, offering DIY and garden products for the first time. 
4 August 2011

The Green Crusader lands at Bents

Bents Garden & Home has introduced 'The Green Crusader' - its very own superhero - as part of a new environmental campaign specifically aimed at children. 
4 August 2011

Final days of TJ Hughes stores announced

Administrators release dates for last day of trading for 22 TJ Hughes stores, putting 1,061 employees out of a job. 
4 August 2011

Ikea buys Scottish wind farm

Ikea UK has purchased a wind farm in Aberdeenshire as part of new plans to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. 
3 August 2011

World's first pop-up mall to open in London this year

Founder of retail fashion brand Boxfresh, Roger Wade teams up with property developers to erect a shopping mall in Shoreditch using shipping containers. 
3 August 2011

TJ Hughes buyer to revive Lewis's dept store

The company that has bought four TJ Hughes stores out of administration also plans to bring Liverpool department store Lewis's back to life. 
3 August 2011

Masseys bids for new £2m store

Masseys DIY has submitted proposals for a new £2m store in a bid to expand the business. 
3 August 2011

Tile Depot opens 18th store

Tile Depot has opened a brand new store in Newbury, Berkshire, taking the total store portfolio to 18. 
2 August 2011

Like-for-like sales improve at Carpetright

Carpetright has reported a 2.3% decline in UK sales for the first quarter of its financial year, but like-for-like sales were flat (down 0.2%) against a 6% decline for the full year to April 2011. 
2 August 2011

Government scraps restrictions on town centre parking

Government-imposed limits on town centre parking spaces are to be scrapped to boost struggling high streets. 
2 August 2011

Internet retailer enters garden category

Online retailer Pixmania-Pro has entered the garden market with the addition of more than 100 garden tools and equipment lines to its site. 
2 August 2011

Wilkinson expands wallpaper range

General merchandise retailer to change more than 30% of its offer and continue own-brand push with new coloured wallpaper collection. 
1 August 2011

K&B sales drop 13% at Wickes

Wickes has seen a 2% increase in delivered revenue for the first half of 2011, despite a 13% drop in kitchen and bathroom sales as consumers scaled back big-ticket spending. 
1 August 2011

Residents lose battle to save Mill Hill Garden Centre

Barnet Council has approved plans to turn Mill Hill Garden Centre into a primary school, despite protests from local residents. 
1 August 2011

Buyer found for TJ Hughes brand

Lewis's Home Retail Ltd agrees to buy TJ Hughes name, website and assets of four stores for an undisclosed sum. 
1 August 2011

Packed church for Harrison funeral

It was 'standing room only' at Charles Harrison's funeral on Thursday July 28. 
29 July 2011

GCG acquires Country Homes & Gardens

The Garden Centre Group (GCG) has confirmed its acquisition of Country Homes & Gardens. 
29 July 2011

AkzoNobel becomes RDT Partner

AkzoNobel has become the latest company to sign up for the Rainy Day Trust's Partnership scheme. 
29 July 2011

Dramatic drop in number of carrier bags used by shoppers

Latest figures from WRAP reveal total weight of thin plastic bags used has almost halved since 2006, despite an 8% increase in retail sales volumes. 
29 July 2011

B&Q Ireland fined €250k after customer death

B&Q Ireland has been ordered to pay a quarter of a million Euros following the 2009 death of a customer killed by falling fencing in one of its stores. 
28 July 2011
*

Most read stories