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Argos introduces new voice service

Argos has announced customers can use just their voice to reserve technology, toys and home essentials for same-day pick up from more than 850 Argos stores by using the Google Assistant (available on most Android phones, iOS or smart speakers like ... 
12 September 2018

Garden King purchases site after reporting record trading

The garden centre has just completed the purchase of its site in Newhall, Swadlincote, having rented from neighbouring Buildbase (Grafton Merchanting Ltd) since Garden King started trading in 2000. The news follows “fantastic year of trading”, says ... 
11 September 2018

Glee New Product Awards Winners announced

A total of 11 new garden products have been confirmed as the winners of the 2018 Glee New Product Awards 2018, at a special award presentation at the leading gardening show. Selected from hundreds of entries showcased at Glee, the winning products ... 
11 September 2018

Graham Bell to head up B&Q as part of Kingfisher reshuffle

Kingfisher has announced a number of senior appointments across the business, with former Screwfix CEO, Graham Bell taking up the helm of B&Q UK & Ireland, as Christian Mazauric looks set to take up top spot in Kingfisher France.The ... 
10 September 2018

Stax announces distribution deal with bird care supplier Marriage's

Marriage’s Honeyfield’s range of bird food and feeders, and a selection of its RSPB-endorsed premium wild bird products, will now be distributed by Stax Trade Centres where they will complement Stax’s existing Ambassador bird-care lines.“Sealing a ... 
7 September 2018

JLP re-brands to acknowledge partners

The 83,000 partners who work for the John Lewis Partnership have, for the first time in the business' history, been formally recognised in the company's name as both John Lewis and Waitrose have added '& Partners' to their names. 
5 September 2018

Dulux Trade reveals 2019 colour palettes

Dulux Trade has announced its ColourFutures colour paletes for 2019, with 'Spiced Honey' taking pride of place as Dulux Colour of the Year 
4 September 2018

Wyevale Garden Centres agrees sale of four garden centres

Wyevale Garden Centres has announced the sale of four garden centres to individual buyers.The centres are: World of Pets and Leisure (“WOPAL”); Codicote; Sudbury and Oxford. Sudbury and Oxford have been sold to operators who are expected to continue ... 
4 September 2018

Devon garden centre blames crippling roadworks for closure

The owners of Eggesford Garden Centre in Devon have made the difficult decision to close down after nine weeks of roadworks on the nearby A377 had “a massive and devastating impact on the business” and proved “the tipping point” for the business' closure. 
4 September 2018

August brings spend increase, but garden centres see only marginal growth

Britons spent 4.5% more this August compared with the same month last year, maintaining the strong levels seen over the summer as a whole, according to the latest data from Barclaycard. However, garden centre businesses only saw a 0.5% growth in stark contrast to double digit growth seen in earlier months. 
4 September 2018

Another DIY shop faces closure in Burnham-on-Sea

Less than a week after it was revealed that Burnham-on-Sea's DIY shop IM Tools was up for sale, another DIY store has said it is in danger of closing down if a new owner cannot be found. 
3 September 2018

AkzoNobel acquires Doves Decorating Supplies

AkzoNobel's Dulux Decorating Centre business has strengthened its position with the purchase of Surrey-based business Doves Decorating Supplies. 
3 September 2018

Homebase creditors approve Company Voluntary Arrangement proposal

Homebase has announced that the Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) proposal launched on 14 August 2018 has been approved with 95.92% of the company’s creditors voting in favour of the arrangement.CEO of Homebase, Damian McGloughlin said: “We are ... 
31 August 2018

Robert Dyas to stop selling drain cleaner used in acid attacks

It has been reported by The Daily Mirror that homeware giant, Robert Dyas, is set to remove a drain cleaner product from its store, following a number of acid attacks using the item.The Daily Mirror, said: "The removal of Homecare Essentials Caustic ... 
31 August 2018

Homebase future hangs in the balance as votes cast on CVA

Creditors are meeting today to cast a 'make it or break it' vote on the future of Homebase. The beleaguered DIY chain, which recently revealed that 70% of its outlets are losing money, has proposed the closure of 42 stores. As part of its Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) it has also proposed cutting rents by up to 90% on some of its remaining stores. 
31 August 2018

Cardiff garden centre goes up in flames again

Blue Diamond Garden Centre in Cardiff suffered a blow this week after a fire destroyed large amounts of stock – less than five years after the centre was completely destroyed by a blaze back in November 2013. 
31 August 2018

Wyevale agrees sale of five garden centres

Wyevale Garden Centres, Britain's biggest garden centre operator, has announced the sale of five garden centres to individual buyers. The centres are Brooks, Nailsworth, Aldridge, Keynsham and Shirley. 
30 August 2018

Glee announces new Tuesday – Thursday format for 2019

Organisers behind the Glee exhibition have announced that the show will be moving one day later in the week next year. 
30 August 2018

New BHETA stats show an upturn in garden, DIY and housewares

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has launched a new retail data service featuring key EPOS statistics for Q2 2018, showing value growth in DIY, housewares, small electricals and garden. 
30 August 2018

Somerset independent tool shop to close

The owners of IM Tools in Burnham-on-Sea have made the decision to shut up shop for good this September after five years of trading 
29 August 2018
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