Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Akzo Nobel acquires Trade Paints

Akzo Nobel has announced it has purchased the business and assets of Surrey-based Trade Paints. With three stores in Epsom, East Molesey and Sutton Akzo Nobel takes its total number of Dulux Decorator Centres in the UK to 209.“These stores will make ... 
14 August 2018

Heatwave stunts high street footfall growth in July

Town centres measured a 0.3% uplift in footfall in July; the third consecutive month of growth, although a decline across UK retail parks showed consumers lacked the energy for longer shopping trips in the hot weather.Growth on the high street this ... 
10 August 2018

House of Fraser saved by Sports Direct in £90m deal

The department store chain was acquired by Sports Direct after it appointed administrators this morning and faced ending 169 years of trading.Mere hours after House of Fraser revealed it had called in Ernst & Young when “discussions with ... 
10 August 2018

A third of renters won’t buy but still splash out on home improvement

A recent study reveals people are happy to rent long-term and have no plans to purchase a property in the future but still invest in revamping their home, with some spending over £30,000 in the past year.With more people renting in the UK than ever ... 
10 August 2018

Brits embrace smart home technology

Time-poor consumers, who crave convenience and speed, are opting for smart technology in their homes, with almost half of Brits now owning at least one smart home product, and video doorbells/security systems proving the most popular choices ... 
9 August 2018

Homebase to close 60 stores and axe over 1,000 jobs

Sky News has reported that the DIY chain Homebase, which was sold for £1 by previous Australian owners Wesfarmers, will close around a quarter of its 249 stores.The news comes just one month after the chain was bought by Hilco Capital, where under ... 
8 August 2018

Hot weather sees in-store seasonal sales drop off

Despite some initial spikes early on in the summer season, sales of non-food goods in store struggled in July, as the heat kept shoppers away from the high street.There were still strong sales of fans and cooling equipment during the period but ... 
8 August 2018

Home and Garden searches increase by 29%

The BRC – Google Online Retail Monitor for Q2 2018 reported a positive outcome for year on year growth of mobile searches for home and garden products.The key findings were:Overseas mobile searches for UK brands grew by 17% YoY in Q2 2018. This is ... 
8 August 2018

Crown Paints introduces 100% recycled plastic containers

Crown Paints has announced it is set to launch paint containers made from 100% recycled plastic – making it the first paint manufacturer in the UK to do so.The plastic 2.5 litre and 5 litre containers, which will be available across Crown Paints’ ... 
7 August 2018

Bradfords Building Supplies acquires Solo

The independent builders merchant, today, announced the acquisition of Archmartin Ltd, trading as Solo Building Supplies. The deal will see Solo Building Supplies’ site in Penzance, South West Cornwall join Bradfords’ estate of 42 outlets... 
7 August 2018

Online spend reaches highest rate in 2018

Shoppers are spending more online than ever this year, as internet retail records a 16.8% year-on-year growth during H1, with garden one of the top-performing categories.The figure is the highest growth rate for the trading period in eight years and ... 
3 August 2018

Pets at Home delivers good start to the year

The pet products chain said it was “on track” to deliver its plan for the year, as it posted sales growth of nearly 7% forQ1, with like-for-like (LFL) sales up 5.3%, boosted by investment in digital initiatives.Group revenue, including Pets at Home’... 
3 August 2018

Retail salaries hit a five-month high

According to the latest findings from the UK’s independent job board, CV-Library, average salaries for retail roles has hit a five-month high in July, and pay has increased by 1.1% month-on-month.The job board explored data taken from its own site ... 
3 August 2018

Squire’s Garden Centres purchases Frensham Garden Centre

D. J. Squire & Co. Ltd (Squire’s) and Wheelhouse Warehousing Ltd has announced the purchase of Frensham Garden Centre by Squire’s from Wheelhouse. The purchase was completed on 1 August 2018.Under the terms of the agreement, which was signed in ... 
2 August 2018

Two more DIY names join BHETA

LadderLimb and Fix-A-Floor are the latest DIY companies to sign up as members of the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA).One of this year’s DIY Week Award finalists, Fix-A-Floor repair adhesive is an extra-strength bonding adhesive ... 
1 August 2018

Squire’s opens new café at Washington centre

Family-run chain Squire’s Garden Centres has announced the latest in a series of revamps across its portfolio, with the opening of a stylish new Café Bar at its branch in Washington, West Sussex.The new-look eatery features beautiful new furniture ... 
1 August 2018

Travis Perkins faces decline in "challenging period"

Wickes parent company Travis Perkins plc has today announced its half year results for the six months ended 30 June 2018.The company reported a revenue growth of 4.4% with like-for-like growth of 4.2%. Good trading performance in the trade focused ... 
31 July 2018

Kelkay acquires wooden furniture and garden structures firm, Anchor Fast

Kelkay Ltd, which was bought by US public company, Griffon Corporation earlier this year, has announced the acquisition of the Doncaster-based outdoor wooden furniture and garden structures manufacturer, Anchor Fast. The deal marks another step in ... 
31 July 2018

Kingfisher introduces energy storage batteries in B&Q

Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, has unveiled plans to install energy storage batteries at B&Q’s Swindon distribution centre. The installation is the latest milestone in Kingfisher’s strategic roadmap for sustainable ... 
30 July 2018

Dobbies announces new CEO, confirming Nicholas Marshall’s departure

After months of speculation in the industry, Dobbies Garden Centres confirms Nicholas Marshall has left the business, with an announcement that chief operating officer Graeme Jenkins is stepping into the role.Rumours began circulating in January ... 
27 July 2018
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