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International Garden Centre Association Congress visits Squire’s

Around 250 International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) delegates from 19 countries visited Squire’s Garden Centres in Hersham and Badshot Lea on September 4. IGCA delegates from as far afield as the USA, Europe, South Africa, Australasia, China ... 
18 September 2019

Rosebourne Aldermaston surpasses £6million turnover in year one

The independent garden centre group is celebrating what it describes as “a fantastic first year of trading” at its Aldermaston site after turning over more than £6million.The Rosebourne business – headed up by garden industry veterans John Kitching ... 
18 September 2019

B&Q sales slide, as Screwfix decision to exit German market costs millions

In the UK and Ireland, B&Q total sales dropped 3.3% to £1,773million in H1, impacted by the axing of installation services and declines across showroom and weather-related categories. Meanwhile, the closure of all 19 Screwfix outlets in Germany ... 
18 September 2019

First-time buyers are driving the property market

FTBs were the largest group of purchasers in 2018, accounting for 36% of all sales, and are expected to remain so in 2019.The latest report from Hometrack has looked at the rising number of first-time buyers in the UK property market and how they ... 
17 September 2019

Houzz survey finds growth in kitchen renovation spend

Spend on kitchen renovations, one of the most popular rooms to renovate, grew by 11% in the past year to a median spend of £10,000, according to the annual Houzz & Home UK survey of more than 7,500 respondents in the United Kingdom. Median spend ... 
16 September 2019

Pets at Glee New Product Showcase 2019 winners revealed

Nine new pet products were confirmed as the winners of the inaugural Pets at Glee New Product Showcase 2019, at a special award presentation at last week’s show. More than 360 entries were put forward this year – a record number for the competition... 
16 September 2019

Service from ‘robotic staff’ is negatively impacting UK businesses

In an age of artificial intelligence and automation, new research finds that the inability of workers to improvise and innovate is causing consumers to make negative assumptions about companies. A study of 1,000 workplaces published in ‘Thinking on... 
16 September 2019

Thompson & Parkes opens new DIY retail shop

After much anticipation, the independent builders merchant officially launched its first retail shop serving the DIY market in Stourport on Saturday, September 14.Having taken over the site of an old wedding shop Minster Road, Stourport during the ... 
16 September 2019

Taskers reveals most common British living room fit-out

The furniture retailer says it has identified the average UK living room and, using online data gathered from its own website, has unveiled a photo-fit of the nation’s most likely lounge.The photo-fit was created using sales and search data over the ... 
13 September 2019

Growers and traders urge for caution on oak imports

A group of Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) traders and growers are urging importers to ensure oaks being brought into the UK, not only comply with current legislation to combat Oak Processionary Moth (OPM), but are also not sourced from Italy’... 
13 September 2019

Henry Bell wins major Dobbies listing

Family-run small animal and pet feed producer, Henry Bell & Co has secured a listing with the largest national garden centre group, Dobbies.As well as supplying a number of independent garden centres and retail outlets, Henry Bell has landed a ... 
12 September 2019

John Lewis blames Brexit for slide in home and EHT sales as it posts £25.9m profit loss

Despite trading peaks over the summer period, the department store parent has reported a huge dip in profits during H1, as a result of subdued consumer confidence in the wake of Brexit woes.Publishing its half-year results for the 26 weeks ... 
12 September 2019

Mid-Sussex Timber announces annual Open Day

Mid-Sussex Timber has announced it will be holding its annual Open Day this September, taking place at its East Grinstead branch on the September 18 2019. Mid-Sussex Timber, who was founded in 1929, continues to operate as a family-run business to ... 
12 September 2019

Glee's New Product Showcase 2019 winners revealed

Eleven ground-breaking new garden products have been confirmed as the winners of the coveted Glee New Product Showcase 2019, at a special award presentation organised and run by Garden Trade News.Selected from hundreds of entries showcased at Glee (... 
11 September 2019

Homebase launches new creative platform with Atomic

Home and DIY giant, Homebase, has announced it is launching a fresh, new-look creative to support its new autumn range and kitchens.The campaign signals a shift towards a more emotionally-led communications approach and is the first under Homebase's ... 
11 September 2019

Wyevale sells last of its centres to BGC

Wyevale Garden Centres has announced it has sold its remaining trading business to British Garden Centres. Since the sale process began in May last year, Wyevale has sold 145 garden centres in 57 separate transactions, with over 90% continuing to ... 
11 September 2019

MarXman awarded retailers choice award at National Hardware Show

MarXman, the UK manufactured professional marking tool, was awarded the prestigious “Retailers Choice Award” at the 2019 National Hardware Show in Las Vegas.A panel of volunteer judges from a wide range of home improvement retailers took on the task ... 
10 September 2019

Sipcam announces new distribution partnership with Thompson & Morgan

As part of the ongoing growth and expansion of Sipcam Home & Garden, the company has announced a new distribution partnership with the seed and horticultural brand supplier, Thompson & Morgan.As of October 2019, Thompson and Morgan will be ... 
10 September 2019

Cornish couple acquire Chacewater Garden Centre in Truro

A Cornish couple have purchased a second garden centre in Truro with the support of a six-figure finance package from HSBC UK, enabling them to expand their blossoming horticultural business. Husband and wife duo Chris and Liz Finney have acquired ... 
10 September 2019

Akzo Nobel announces 2020 colour of the year

Tranquil Dawn has been announced as Akzo Nobel’s Colour of the Year for 2020. The culmination of extensive trend research by experts around the world, the company has said it is designed to capture the essence of what makes us human as the dawn of a ... 
10 September 2019
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