Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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John Lewis doubles number of 'at home' stores

Department store chain secures two further sites in Swindon and Tunbridge Wells, ready to open this autumn. 
18 May 2010

DIY and garden markets see growth in Q1

Sealants and lawn seeds star products since January, as sectors show positive signs for the year ahead. 
18 May 2010

Chelsea sells out in record time

Tickets to the RHS flower show sold out on Friday - the earliest in more than 20 years. 
17 May 2010

Product of the Year 2010: Gold winners announced

The great and the good of the DIY industry gathered together last Friday at London's Sheraton Park Lane Hotel for the Product of the Year Awards 2010. 
17 May 2010

High street homewares sales up 10%

High street sales saw positive growth across the board for the week ending May 9, according to the BDO High Street Sales Tracker. 
17 May 2010

UK business insolvencies drop a further 15% in April

Small businesses showed "great resilience" last month, says Experian, while mid-sized companies fared the worst. 
17 May 2010

Wickes like-for-like sales slip in tough consumer conditions

Wickes owner Travis Perkins has reported a 1.7% like-for-like sales decline in its retail arm for the 17 weeks to May 1. 
17 May 2010

Footfall increases in April by 1.6%

UK footfall increased 1.6% year-on-year in April 2010 in comparison to the same month last year, according to The Experian Retail Footfall Index. 
13 May 2010

Non-food growing at three times the rate of food at Sainsbury's

Expanding non-food offer continues to perform well as supermarket chain posts pre-tax profit increase of 57.3% for the year to March 2010. 
13 May 2010

National Insurance rise partly scrapped by new government

The planned increase in National Insurance Contributions (NICs), scheduled to take affect in 2011, will be partly scrapped by the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government. 
13 May 2010

M&S launches new mobile shopping site

Specifically designed for mobile phones and mobile devices, m.marksandspencer.com allows customers to shop Marks' website and browse more than 24,000 products on the move. 
12 May 2010

Argos prepares for football fever with 'World Truck'

Argos has launched www.worldtruck.co.uk to engage customers before, during and after this summer's World Cup. 
12 May 2010

Business groups welcome new coalition but stress they want stability

CBI, FPB and BCC announce they are pleased with outcome of election and hope the new government is able to 'put aside their differences' in order to fix the economy. 
12 May 2010

Harrods sold for £1.5bn

London department store Harrods has been sold to Qatar Holding, the Qatari royal family's investment company, in a deal reported to be worth £1.5bn. 
11 May 2010

Latest BRC figures show sales drop in April

UK retail sales values fell 2.3% last month compared with 2009, with housewares below year-earlier levels but DIY showing strong signs. 
11 May 2010

Nearly half of firms want new election, says FSB

Small firms lack confidence in the economy after last week's election results, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. 
11 May 2010

DIY and home record sales uplift in April

BDO reports mixed sales for the month, with non-fashion down 3.2% but DIY boosted by good weather. 
10 May 2010

Election 2010: business groups react to political uncertainty

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has called for MPs to put aside their differences and create a functioning administration as quickly as possible after last week's general election result. 
10 May 2010

Shoppers look online for outdoor living with John Lewis

Department store chain reports sales increase in barbecues and garden furniture on the web, boosted by "recent hint of summer". 
7 May 2010

Paul McCartney says let it be...&Q

Sir Paul McCartney revealed he likes to shop in B&Q in a recent interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 
7 May 2010
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