Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Revenue "flat" for Akzo Q1 figures

Akzo Nobel reported its Q1 figures, reporting revenue as flat in a seasonally low quarter; up 1% in constant currencies, with positive price/mix offset by 7% lower volumes; acquisitions contributed 1%. Adjusted operating income was up by 9% at €163 ... 
29 April 2019

Carpetright restructure restores confidence amongst customers

The carpet and floorcoverings retailer announced LFL sales in its UK operations were up “significantly” in Q4, as customer confidence in the business started to return following the group’s restructuring last year.In the financial update for the 12 ... 
25 April 2019

Asda disappointed by CMA ruling

As Sainsbury’s accuses CMA of taking £1billion out of customers’ pockets by blocking the deal, Asda and its parent firm, Walmart said they were “right to explore merger” with fellow UK grocery chain, Sainsbury’s, adding that its main aim was to ... 
25 April 2019

Outdoor plant sales rise in spring

The start of spring saw sales in outdoor plants soar at garden centres across the country, the Garden Centre Association reported. During March, outdoor plant sales were up 90.85% compared to the same month the previous year, in 2018, according to ... 
25 April 2019

Sainsburys Asda merger blocked by CMA

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ruled today that the proposed merger cannot go ahead, as UK shoppers would be “worse off” due to reduced competition in the market, with expected price hikes and a drop in quality. But Sainsbury’s ... 
25 April 2019

Squires opens florist at Badshot Lea centre

Local florist Petal & Stem – run by a former Squire’s employee – has set up shop in a prime position just inside the entrance of Squire’s Garden Centre in Badshot Lea.Customers will now be able to buy bouquets of cut flowers at the centre ... 
24 April 2019

Leekes awarded bag accolade at the Finance Awards

Welsh retailer, Leekes Retail and Leisure Group has been awarded Medium/Large Finance Team of the Year in the second annual Finance Awards Wales.The family-run independent business was presented with the accolade during a ceremony held at Cardiff’s ... 
24 April 2019

Easter Weekend sees sales soar

The hot and sunny weather has had a hugely positive result for retail destinations this weekend, with an increase in footfall of +6.5% on Friday, +1.2% on Saturday and +8.4% by 12pm on Easter Monday. This is a clear contrast to Easter 2018, when ... 
23 April 2019

Online spending continues to see growth

Today’s ONS retail sales figures revealed that online spending continues to rise. The percentage of online purchases has risen by 8.0% in March 2019 in comparison to March 2018.The sector has witnessed tremendous growth the results report, with ... 
18 April 2019

Topps Tiles acquires controlling stake in Strata Tiles

In a bid to further grow its commercial business, Topps has paid £3.3million for 80% of the issued share capital of Strata Tiles Ltd, a supplier of tiles to the commercial market ... 
18 April 2019

Debenhams CEO plans exit, as shareholder stakes wiped out

Sergio Bucher is reportedly planning to step down from his role at the department store chain within the next few days, following the appointment of administrators and the suspension of shares, announced last week.The de-listing of shares, announced ... 
18 April 2019

Wickes targets easter weekend DIY-ers in new campaign

Wickes, the home improvement retailer, has today launched its first ever digital out of home and radio roadblock campaign to capture the attention of consumers during the busiest period of the year for DIY.Devised by out-of-home (OOH) and location ... 
18 April 2019

Value of UK pet market set to hit £7billion by 2021

The market continues to see growth, as millennials’ passion for pampering pets fuels demand for fashionable, luxurious accessories. Even in turbulent economic times, Brits are putting pets’ wellbeing before their own – and that’s music to the ears of ... 
17 April 2019

Crown invites politicians to discuss innovation in the North of England

Crown Paints recently welcomed MP for Rossendale and Darwen Jake Berry and chief secretary to the Treasury, Liz Truss MP, to its UK headquarters in Darwen, Lancashire, to take a tour of the paint manufacturing facility and attend a Q&A session ... 
17 April 2019

Wyevale changes loyalty scheme and scraps own-brand gift cards

Wyevale Garden Centres has announced an update to its Garden Club loyalty scheme, which will see the collection of loyalty points replaced with an instant discount every time members shop.The changes, which have been introduced in time for the ... 
17 April 2019

Turnaround on track, says Homebase

Home improvement and garden retailer appears on more solid footing, as it delivers 21.8% jump in gross profit and £100million cost savings, as turnaround programme is in full swing, with store closures, rent reductions and re-introduction of ... 
17 April 2019

Woodland Trust partners with biochar supplier Carbon Gold

The Woodland Trust has partnered with UK biochar supplier Carbon Gold to support the charity’s tree planting and preservation activities across the UK.The announcement will see 10p from the sale of each of Carbon Gold’s biochar planting aids and ... 
16 April 2019

High street footfall sees growth in Spring

Figures released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has shown footfall has increased in March, at 1.4%, compared to the previous year when it fell by 6.0%. On a three-month basis, footfall dropped by 0.3%. The six and twelve–month averages are ... 
15 April 2019

Notcutts celebrates success at annual conference

Family-owned garden centre group, Notcutts Garden Centres, has hosted its annual conference and awards dinner to celebrate the success of colleagues and teams across its 18 garden centres nationwide. Hosted on March 20 in Maldon, Essex, the ... 
15 April 2019

BHETA holds successful event for manufacturers and distributors

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA)’s most recent ‘Meet the Buyer’ day, with Toolstation, took place this month and proved beneficial for the manufacturer and distributor companies who attended. With the Toolstation buying team, ... 
12 April 2019
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