Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

Latest News

New 'green' Tesco to create 320 jobs

Plans drawn up for multi-million pound 45,000sq ft store in Caernarfon, North Wales. 
13 October 2008

Topshop boss to take control of Baugur portfolio?

Sir Philip Green flies to Reykjavik to negotiate a deal with Government ministers to buy the retail group’s debt. 
13 October 2008

Iceland founder drops interest in Woolworths

Chief executive Malcolm Walker now considering plans to buy up parts of the Baugur-owned frozen food chain. 
13 October 2008

Government's actions 'half-hearted', says BHF

Managing director Alan Hawkins provides diyweek.net with his take on the economic situation, the interest rate cut and the increase to the National Minimum Wage. 
10 October 2008

Another big-ticket retailer in trouble

Land of Leather's pre-tax profits drop 88% as the furniture retailer reports a full year loss of £0.4m compared to a profit of £16m last year. 
10 October 2008

Home Hardware Southwest opens new warehouse

New 54,000 sq ft site in Bedford hoped to generate more than £10m for wholesaler. 
10 October 2008

Alan Sugar buys into Woolworths

Entrepreneur and TV personality Sugar snaps up 3.9% of High Street chain. 
10 October 2008

Last credit insurer pulls out of Woolworths

High street chain’s woes deepen as Corface withdraws cover for suppliers amid concerns for retailer’s financial health. 
9 October 2008

Poundland profits up 122%

Discount retailer’s operating profit climbs to £8m following strong sales growth and an increase in AB demographic shoppers. 
9 October 2008

Magnet's cost reductions 'common practice'

Company releases statement justifying supplier letter calling for 5% cost cuts. 
9 October 2008

B&Q to close distribution centre

150 jobs threatened as business review finds Scunthope site to be unnecessary. 
9 October 2008

Rosebys to close 70 stores

Home furnishing retailer may close up to 70 stores in the next two weeks after the company entered administration last Friday. 
8 October 2008

Rainy Day Trust gets in the swing

More than 90 golfers from the industry's suppliers, service providers and leading retailers took part in the annual Rainy Day Golf Challenge at Brocket hall. 
8 October 2008

Industry sees significant declines...but not in all sectors

GfK's Spotlight on DIY reveals that some areas of the market are up as much as 34%, suggesting a growing 'don't move, improve' mentality. 
8 October 2008

BRC welcomes Bank of England's decision to cut interest rates

British Retail Consortium believes 0.50% cut is 'the kind of decisive action needed in the current financial turbulence'. 
8 October 2008

Joy stores bought by founder

It was announced today that a buyer had been found for 12 of Joy's 28 retail stores. And it appears that of the two brands, Joy and cookshop brand Hob, it may be that Hob is the one to survive. Read more... 
8 October 2008

Asda launches Direct offer

Expansion of non-food arm steps up supermarket’s challenge and takes it head to head with Tesco and Argos. 
7 October 2008

BHS sees profits plummet but homewares holds up

It was bad news for department store group British Home Stores this morning, as it reported a drop of 34% in annual profits. However, Home was one of its star departments. 
7 October 2008

MFI divisions in administration after MBO

MFI's retail and property divisions were placed into administration yesterday after chief exec Gary Favell completed an MBO which saved 106 stores. 
7 October 2008

Focus to axe 750 jobs

Following a review of the business, DIY chain calls staff to attend store meetings to hear details of redundancies. 
6 October 2008
*

Most read stories