Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

Latest News

John Lewis sales up 27.4%

Department store’s pricing policy to match competitors helps its sales surge into the New Year. 
9 January 2009

B&Q reviews £40m advertising contract

DIY chain reassesses its advertising requirements hot on the heels of the departure of marketing director Jo Kenrick. 
9 January 2009

US firm to buy Waterford Wedgwood

Tabletop manufacturer in talks with little-known American private equity company KPS Capital over a potential sale of the business. 
9 January 2009

Sainsbury's Q3 results reveal 'best ever' Christmas

Sainsbury's has had its 'best ever' Christmas sales according to figures released this morning. 
8 January 2009

Ban on 100watt lightbulbs begins September

Lighting Association and government hit back at reports that energy efficient lights are inferior or pose health risks as customers panic buy last supplies of incandescent bulbs. 
8 January 2009

Dunelm like-for-like sales fall as the firm expands

Dunelm Mill the specialist out-of-town homewares retailer has this week published results for the 26 weeks up to the end of last year. 
8 January 2009

Hiatt Hardware enters administration

After more than 20 years of trading, Birmingham-based hardware fittings distributor is latest casualty on the high street. 
8 January 2009

Craft Central directors file for administration

The directors of Craft Central have placed the business in administration. 
8 January 2009

M&S plans job cuts and store closures following Q3 results

Marks and Spencer could cut more than 1000 jobs and close 27 stores after revealing terrible trading conditions in the run up to Christmas. 
7 January 2009

Retail rent drop offers high street a lifeline

Rents fall for first time in 15 years in 2008 with predictions that they will not return to growth for several years. 
7 January 2009

Best December ever for Home Hardware (Scotland)

Home Hardware (Scotland) has reported a sales increase of 9.7% for the month of December 2008 - the best December trading since Home Hardware began trading in 1983. 
6 January 2009

Next sees sales slip

High street retailer Next has reported a 7% decline in like-for-like sales for the half year to December 24 2008 - at the bottom end of its guidance range of between -4% and -7% given back in September. 
6 January 2009

Steady performance for Debenhams despite ‘difficult’ conditions

Department store reports a 1% increase in gross transaction value on last year with online sales up 37.4% 
6 January 2009

Waterford Wedgwood starts the New Year in administration

Waterford Wedgwood has called in the administrators this morning after failing to prove it has enough cash to secure further loans. 
5 January 2009

Redundancies should be ‘last resort’ in downturn

As UK unemployment looks set to peak at 3.1m in 2009, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) warns companies of the hidden cost of redundancies. 
5 January 2009

A service that delivers

A new delivery system, from kitchen and bathroom distributors Mark Two, allows consumers to arrange their own delivery and check or change their order themselves, despite having bought through national retailers such as Wickes, Next and Tesco. 
5 January 2009

Big names for Business Meeting

The speaker line up for the GIMA Business Meeting at the end of this month has been finalised and includes names from some of the UK's most respected and largest retailers and suppliers. 
5 January 2009

Kenrick steps down as B&Q restructures board

Marketing director Jo Kenrick parts ways with company as it sets out new commercial agenda. 
2 January 2009

Whittard of Chelsea saved

Specialist tea, coffee and tabletop retailer Whittard of Chelsea was rescued just before Christmas in a 'pre-pack' buyout agreement. 
2 January 2009

Unstaffed DIY store makes almost £200

A DIY store owner left his shop open and attended only by an honesty box on Boxing day and made almost £200. 
2 January 2009
*

Most read stories