Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Saddle up for charity with the Garden Re-Leaf cycle ride challenge

Greenfingers Charity is inviting its supporters and others to put their pedal power to the test this spring by taking on the inspiring Cycle Challenge for Garden Re-Leaf Day.Garden Re-Leaf 2018 cyclistsThe cycle event, which was launched as part of ... 
15 February 2019

RSPB urging retailers to support swift initiative

The RSPB is calling on homeowners and businesses in UK towns and cities to take simple steps to help save swift birds. Swift numbers have plummeted by half in just twenty years. The RSPB say now is the time to act – before the birds return from ... 
15 February 2019

BIRA celebrates 120 years of supporting independent retailers

This year, the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) celebrates 120 years supporting independent retailers. Since 1899 when BIRA’s predecessors – the Ironmongers Federation, the British Hardware Federation and the Drapers Chamber of Trade ... 
15 February 2019

Johnson Tiles invests £650k in new machinery

British tile manufacturer, Johnson Tiles, has invested £650k in two new inkjet machines for its factory in Stoke-on-Trent in order to enhance its existing processes for manufacturing ceramic wall tiles.The new machines guarantee faster production, ... 
15 February 2019

Future of gardening industry could depend on engaging young parents

It is revealed that 40% of parents aren’t confident planting plants with their children, despite wanting kids to ditch technology and spend more time outside.A survey by Cumbria garden centre, Hayes Garden World revealed that 86% of parents with ... 
13 February 2019

Axminster Tools & Machinery lands spot in top 50 UK retailer list

The East Devon tool specialist has recently been listed in the top 50 ecommerce and cross-channel retailers, as detailed in the Internet Retailing UK (IRUK) Top 500 report 2019.The company was first listed in the 2017 report, when it appeared in the ... 
12 February 2019

Squire's plant show sees multiple accolades

Squire’s Garden Centres held its annual plant show in West Horsley on 7th February 2019. Suppliers from the UK and abroad came to Squire’s to showcase their latest plants, ready for the spring season ahead.Squire’s also presented its “Supplier Of ... 
12 February 2019

Wilko to re-locate Warrington store

The value home and garden retailer has signed a lease for a new store at Golden Square Shopping Centre, with its existing branch at Cockhedge Shopping Park closing its doors on Saturday, March 23.The new 15,000sq ft store is due to open in April ... 
11 February 2019

Tong Garden Centre begins major development plans

Tong Garden Centre is set to complete the first stage of its latest expansion with support from a seven-figure HSBC UK funding package.The centre, which is situated between Leeds and Bradford, is expecting to complete the construction of a 4,000 sq. ... 
11 February 2019

Dobbies sells two centres to Caulders

Dobbies Garden Centres has agreed the sale of its two smallest centres - Kinross and Cumbernauld - to family-run Caulders Garden Centres.Dobbies – which bought six Wyevale centres last year – said the sale of these two smaller centres is in line ... 
11 February 2019

Snow puts the freeze on John Lewis sales

Winter weather saw the department store chain’s total sales dip 4.4% for the week, despite a huge uplift in heating products, as the retailer also announces collaboration with Swoon.Trading in the home category was down 6% for the week, whilst ... 
8 February 2019

Ikea opens most sustainable store yet

Ikea UK celebrated the opening of its leading sustainable store in Greenwich yesterday. The store forms part of Ikea’s ongoing city centre approach in London as it responds to the growth of urban living, the shift to a circular economy and changes ... 
8 February 2019

EP Barrus continues expansion with new warehouse

The gardening tools and equipment supplier has expanded its warehouse capacity by a further 11,000sq ft to meet continued demand on the back of a successful 2018, with plans to relocate to a larger permanent warehouse in the future. The decision to ... 
8 February 2019

Dulux Decorator Centre launches new workwear range

Dulux Decorator Centre has overhauled its workwear offering with the launch of a new range, which it will retail across its 204 shops and online.The move follows demand from professional decorators who want “a one-stop shop that’s centered on their ... 
7 February 2019

Retailers urged to stock up on natural slug and snail controls ahead of metaldehyde ban

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has given retailers just six months to stop selling metaldehyde, as fears grow over its impact on wildlife and the environment.The incoming ban was announced in December, with the ... 
7 February 2019

Nearly half of UK retail industry is failing to recognise value of effective pricing

According to a report by Omnia Retail, around 96,000 of the 200,000 registered retailers in the UK are putting their business at risk by failing to grasp the importance of an effective pricing strategy.The pricing and automation specialist said its ... 
7 February 2019

Smart Garden Products pull Briers out of administration

Smart Garden Products have announced the purchase of the Briers business and assets from administrators Duff & Phelps."The business was short of cashflow and their directors were trying to find a buyer for some months without success, eventually ... 
7 February 2019

Latest round of Wyevale centres sold to BGC and Rochmills Group

The six latest sites to be sold are Bold Heath, Carr Gate, Leyland, Coventry and Bolton, which have been snapped by family-run British Garden Centres, whilst Woburn Sands has been bought by Rochmills Group ... 
6 February 2019

New safety mark replacement could cost UK manufacturers millions

A new UK safety mark designed to replace the EU’s ubiquitous CE mark, following a no-deal Brexit will cost British manufacturers and exporters millions of pounds in product stamping, testing and red tape.The warning comes from international courier ... 
5 February 2019

Ironmongery Direct completes major distribution centre expansion

The Manutan European Group, which owns Ironmongery Direct and sister company Electrical Direct has completed a major expansion project – doubling the size of its warehouse, in order to house thousands more new product, and expanding its call centre ... 
5 February 2019
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