Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Positive signs for UK economy

ICAEW's Business Confidence monitor reveals record rise in confidence and predicts that GDP will rise 0.5% this quarter, signalling the end of the recession. 
24 August 2009

Landlords set to back Focus CVA

Creditors meet with Focus today to seal a company voluntary agreement that could see 5,000 jobs saved at the DIY chain. 
24 August 2009

Focus CVA approved

DIY chain pleased with outcome after majority of its creditors vote for company voluntary agreement in today's meetings. 
24 August 2009

BHETA announces new director of housewares sector

Will Jones will take up the new role in September, replacing Helen Hibbert who held the position in the interim, following Pam Plant's departure. 
21 August 2009

Retail sales rise 3.3% in July

Household goods stores pick up, driven by hardware and furniture retailers, says ONS report. 
21 August 2009

Sainsbury's launches non-food catalogue

Customers offered 'taster' of kitchen, dining, DIY and bathroom ranges available on supermarket website. 
20 August 2009

Home Hardware pays out record rebate

Dealer-owned wholesaler pays £87,000 back to members as local consumers boost sales. 
20 August 2009

UK homeowners still reliant on DIY professionals

Research commissioned by WD-40 reveals that, despite the recession, the British public are not rolling up their sleeves and tackling DIY problems around the house. 
20 August 2009

UPDATED: Dobbies wins approval for allotments

Sefton Council recommends that go ahead be given for 20 allotments on land at Dobbies Southport centre. 
20 August 2009

Drop in sales for Lowe's as US puts DIY projects on hold

World's second largest DIY retailer sees 19.1% drop in net earnings, as "cautious consumers" remain reluctant to take on home improvement projects. 
19 August 2009

£1,500 worth of fish stolen from garden centre

Thieves escape with fish, including 10 Koi Carp after raid on Maidenhead Aquatics at St John's Garden Centre. 
19 August 2009

BRC says 'scrap VAT on eco-friendly white goods'

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) believes the Government is "working against its own objectives" for reducing carbon emissions by charging full VAT on green domestic appliances. 
17 August 2009

Staff stage sit-in protest at Irish DIY store

Employees at 4Home Superstores in Co Cork took part in protest over redundancies after it was announced store was to close the next day. 
17 August 2009

John Lewis sales hit by warm weekend

Saturday's sunshine proved too tempting for shoppers as the department store chain experienced a 5.3% drop in trade for the week ending August 8. 
14 August 2009

Allied Carpets closes 142 stores

Allied makes 850 redundancies after administrators fail to find a buyer for the ailing carpet chain. 
14 August 2009

Clas Ohlson signs contract for Reading store

Swedish 'usefulshopp' set to open new 1,900 sq m branch in main shopping area of town. 
13 August 2009

Everbuild doubles vehicle fleet

Building products manufacturer doubles the size of its fleet of branded articulated vehicles to meet European demand. 
13 August 2009

UPDATED: Croydon DIY retailer prosecuted for underage knife sale

DIY Den fined £715 after selling knife blades to two schoolgirls in council sting operation. 
13 August 2009

Armed raid at Barton Grange

A garden centre employee was tied up and the manager held at knifepoint in an early morning attack on Monday, August 10. 
12 August 2009

Grey skies boost DIY over summer

Wet weather and discounting turn homeowners' focus indoors, increasing sales of homewares and furniture. 
11 August 2009
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