Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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ProCook buys Steamer Trading out of administration

Cookware and kitchen retailer ProCook has announced the purchase of Steamer Trading after the independent specialist kitchenware chain appointed administrators yesterday. The deal saves 27 of the retailer’s 38 stores and includes the e-commerce ... 
10 January 2019

B&M manages profitability in an uncertain market

UK variety goods value retailer, B&M European Value Retail S.A., has today announced a trading update for the third quarter of its current financial year, relating to the 13 week period from 30 September 2018 to 29 December 2018.This saw Group ... 
10 January 2019

Tesco reap the benefits of Christmas rush

In the core Tesco UK business, third quarter like-for-like sales increased by 0.7%, representing the company's twelfth consecutive quarter of growth. In a more challenging market, Tesco said it made significant further improvements to its customer ... 
10 January 2019

Sainsburys profit plummet due to struggling Argos

Total retail sales from J Sainsbury plc have been reported as down by 0.4%, and like-for-like sales decreasing by 1.1%. General Merchandise sales, which includes Argos, declined by 2.3%.The supermarket chain took over catalogue retailer Argos as ... 
9 January 2019

Profits fall at Topps Tiles "against challenging marketing backdrop"

Tile specialist, Topps Tiles Plc has announced a trading update for the 13 week period ended 29 December 2018, with like-for-like revenues for the first 13 weeks of the current financial year decreased by 1.4%, when in 2018 revenue had increased by ... 
9 January 2019

Plans for new Aldi and Wickes in Isle of Wight

Plans have been put in place to redevelop the Newport Football Club site on St George’s Way by the current football ground owners. The mixed development of the site will see both retail opportunities and leisure uses.The development will be made up ... 
8 January 2019

DIY Week Awards judging panels announced

The line-up of judges for the supplier and retailer categories has been revealed, with key representatives from across the home improvement and garden industry set to take part in choosing the 2019 DIY Week Award winners.Each year, two independent ... 
7 January 2019

BHETA to own Exclusively shows outright

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has purchased the two minority shareholdings in Brooke House Exhibitions, the owner of the Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical shows, from Simon Boyd and Christopher Leonard-Morgan.... 
7 January 2019

Plumbworld completes MBO from Grafton Group

Online bathroom products retailer, Online Home Retail Limited, has just completed a successful management buyout (MBO). A team led by an original founder of the business, James Hickman, bought back the company, which trades as www.plumbworld.co.uk, ... 
7 January 2019

Toolbank secures new distribution partnership

The specialist hand and power tool wholesaler announced, this month, it has been appointed as the exclusive distributor for US brand, ToughBuilt, in the UK and Ireland.The offer from the Las Vegas-based manufacturer includes saw horses and jobsite ... 
7 January 2019

Dunelm remains "cautious" despite profit increase

UK homewares retailer Dunelm Group plc has reported its total LFL revenue growth for its second quarter was +9.0%, a pleasing result the company says, which builds upon the positive trading experienced in the first quarter.Like-for-like store ... 
7 January 2019

Lidl to take over former Homebase unit in Swansea

Picton Property Income has completed an agreement to Lease with Lidl on its former Homebase unit at Parc Tawe North, Swansea. It will move Lidl from its existing premises on the retail park, making it the anchor occupier, alongside JD Sports, Pets ... 
7 January 2019

Footfall down on Boxing Day

The number of shoppers out on December 26 this year fell by 3.1% and is the third consecutive year that has seen a decline, which could indicate a lessening in importance of Boxing Day as a trading day - but not all retailers had a quiet day... 
4 January 2019

TIMCo announces partnership with Fantom Hardware

Wholesale supplier T.I. Midwood & Co, has become the UK’s exclusive supplier to merchants and retailers for Australian company Fantom Hardware, creator of the award-winning Fantom Doorstop.... 
4 January 2019

Non-food price deflation eases in December

The BRC-Nielsen shop price index for the final month of 2018 recorded the lowest rate of deflation of non-food goods since March 2013, despite deep discounting in several sectors. The reporting period covered 3-7 December.Non-food prices stabilised ... 
4 January 2019

Clas Ohlson to retain one UK store in "key location"

Despite announcing plans to close all of its physical outlets acrosss the UK and Germany with a view to focusing on an online-only strategy, the Swedish retailer has made an about-turn and revealed it plan to keep trading from its Reading store on ... 
3 January 2019

Pantone announces colour of the year for 2019

Pantone has announced its colour of the year for 2019 as 'Living Coral'. Vibrant, yet mellow, the company has said, PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral "embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting ... 
3 January 2019

Peckish goes live with Channel 4 sponsorship

In December it was announced that Peckish will be sponsoring the Channel 4 Weather bulletins, as part of wider plans to boost brand awareness and the wild bird card market.The “Love Every Bird” campaign, which it is hoped will expose the Peckish ... 
3 January 2019

Homebase introduces second concession partnership

Homebase, one of the UK’s leading home improvement and garden retailers, has signed a concession partnership with UK bed brand, Silentnight.The partnership marks the first step in Homebase’s return into beds and mattresses, and will see several ... 
3 January 2019

Dobbies reports 21% uplift over Christmas

The 40-strong garden centre chain posted total sales of £24.1million for the last six weeks of the year, with footfall up across its centres, and a number of categories delivering record performances.Like-for-like sales were up 8% year on year (YOY),... 
3 January 2019
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