Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Morrisons proposes new garden centre at Pinchbeck store

In a bid to grow its garden offer at stores across the UK, the supermarket giant has applied for planning permission to erect a new glazed garden centre structure at its branch off Brenner Road, just north of Spalding.The proposal is for “a new PPC ... 
30 May 2019

Easter heatwave saw furniture and barbecue sales soar

Garden centres across the country enjoyed positive sales in furniture and barbecue departments thanks to one of the hottest Easter breaks on record in April.Sales of furniture and barbecues were up 28.36% compared to the same month in 2018, ... 
30 May 2019

Top retailers are failing to capitalise on growing social media influence

An industry report has found that almost a fifth of leading UK e-retailers are missing out on potential sales, due to a lack of connection with their customers’ extended social circles. These figures have worsened since a similar study was carried ... 
30 May 2019

John Lewis figures hit by cooler weather but Waitrose reports uplift in plant sales

The high street retailer posted a total sales decline of -4.1% to £2.68million across the business for the week ended May 25, with home and outdoor living struggling in its department stores, whilst Waitrose saw sales of outdoor plants soar 21%.... 
29 May 2019

DIY stores hit top 10 in Which? high street survey

Department store, John Lewis and DIY chains, Toolstation and Screwfix all managed land take top-10 positions in the survey, showing customers received a positive experience when shopping in the sector ... 
29 May 2019

Toolstation roll-out continues apace

The Travis Perkins-owned chain is ploughing ahead with its expansion programme, opening four new trade counters in a week next month.On June 10, Toolstation will open a trade counter on Buxton Road in Hazel Grove, less than five miles from its ... 
28 May 2019

Online retailers reveal top-10 plants selling out due to millennial gardeners

Research from online outdoor living retailer, Internet Gardener, which included analysing thousands of Instagram posts, has revealed the indoor plants most favoured by millennials.Millennial interest in these plants is so great that plant retailers ... 
28 May 2019

Amazon partners with Next to offer click-and-collect service

The online retail giant’s new Counter service, launched this month in the UK and Italy, enables quick and easy collection of Amazon parcels from popular retail outlets and convenience stores, including fashion, home and garden retailer, Next.Amazon ... 
28 May 2019

Cash-strapped retail workers put in longer hours but struggle to make ends meet

Brand new research from independent job board, CV-Library reveals that, despite 64% of retail professionals working more hours than they’re contracted to, 68% struggle to make ends meet at the end of each month. The study surveyed 1,200 working ... 
28 May 2019

Covers swaps plastic for paper

As part of its commitment to help sustain the environment, Covers Timber & Builders Merchants has announced it will no longer be providing plastic bags to its customers.The business, which has its headquarters on Quarry Lane in Chichester, West ... 
28 May 2019

Chelsea success for Hillier and Greenfingers

Hillier has extended its incredible world record, winning a 74th consecutive gold medal at this years’ RHS Chelsea Flower Show, whilst Greenfingers had a hugely successful debut, with plenty of publicity around its garden, which earned a silver-gilt ... 
24 May 2019

Retail online sales see slight growth

In the three months to March 2019, figures from the Office for National Statistics showed in its retail sales index that the quantity bought in retail sales increased by 1.6% when compared with Q4 in 2018, following sustained growth throughout the ... 
23 May 2019

B&M continues upward revenue growth

UK variety goods value retailer, B&M, has announced its preliminary results for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2019. The results show group revenues increased by 17.1% to £3,486.3m, compared to 2018 which was £2,976.3m. B&M has seen revenue growth ... 
23 May 2019

Brits said to be spending £31billion on DIY projects

home improvement has proved more costly than thought, according to a recent study by construction supplier Burton Roofing. By analysing monthly housing data from the Office of National Statistics and talking to 1,000 UK homeowners, the investigation ... 
22 May 2019

Helping Children Grow exhibit wins a bronze medal at Chelsea

The ‘Helping Children Grow’ exhibit, supported by National Garden Gift Vouchers, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 has been awarded a Bronze medal.The exhibit, which features in the Discovery Zone of the Great Pavilion, promotes National Children’... 
21 May 2019

Westland partners with the British Trust for Ornithology

As a key partner in the supply of bird care products to garden centres, Westland has said it is committed to driving the sector and educating the public. And to further this, the company has announced a new partnership and has joined forces with the ... 
21 May 2019

GCA Conference 2020 venue announced

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has announced that the location of its 2020 annual conference is to be Bristol (January 26 until 29, 2020). The GCA’s annual event will be held at the Mercure Bristol, Grand Hotel from January 26 until 29.Mike ... 
20 May 2019

Tech guru helps Brits get smart home savvy

To mark the beginning of Smart Home Week, tech guru Jason Bradbury hosted a pop-up tech clinic at Charring Cross Station in Central London ahead of the week on Saturday 18 May.From 11am – 3pm inquisitive consumers dropped into the pop-up tech clinic,... 
20 May 2019

Waste compliance an important issue for BHETA members

BHETA members logged on to a webinar set up by BHETA associate member, Wastepack, to provide updates on the latest government consultations on Defra’s Resource and Waste Strategy, which was launched at the end of 2018. There are currently several ... 
20 May 2019

Retailers, including Tesco, Amazon and Argos caught selling knives to underage shoppers

As many as six in 10 retailers in some UK areas were found to be breaking the law and selling knives to children as young as 14, whilst Tesco, Amazon and Argos were also caught out by a BBC Watchdog.A test purchase operation by North Yorkshire ... 
17 May 2019
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