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Traditional bathroom retailers to benefit from DIY withdrawal

A new report on the UK bathroom retail market finds that sales have increased by £235million in the past six years, with a new boost for ‘full service’ bathroom retailers likely from 2019 following the withdrawal of B&Q’s Homefit installation ... 
12 July 2018

B&Q moves away from promotional activity with new pricing policy

The DIY and garden chain has announced plans to lower prices on 2,000 products across the business in a bid to deliver its ‘Do It For Less’ strategy and to make its pricing more transparent for customers. B&Q said it is investing more than £... 
11 July 2018

Covers enhances doors and windows offer with new showroom

Covers will celebrate the official opening of the revamped doors and windows showroom at its Chichester branch on Wednesday, July 18.The improved showroom follows a refurbishment of the branch in Quarry road last year and the opening of the new-look ... 
9 July 2018

June sales cap off “crippling” first half

Further sales declines mean 2018 is on course to be worst year on record for UK high street, with the British government urged to step up and help retailers.This year may be remembered for the Royal wedding, a summer of sunshine and the World Cup, ... 
6 July 2018

Shopware capitalises on “considerable growth” with first UK office

E-commerce platform Shopware is opening a dedicated London office in response to increased demand for its services, as it describes the UK as “one of our most important markets”.Shopware reports that it has enabled more than £5billion in gross e-... 
6 July 2018

Amazon set to rake in $1.6billion, as it extends Prime day of deals

Amazon has dubbed this its “bigger than ever, Prime Day (and a half)”, with the promotional event extending from 30 hours to 36 hours this year and featuring more than one million deals globally, with 40% more ‘Spotlight’ deals in the UK than in ... 
6 July 2018

Amazon secures top spot for customer satisfaction for sixth year in a row

The online giant has retained the top spot in the UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI), with John Lewis coming in at number two and as many as eight non-food retailers making up the top 20, including Argos, Wilko, M&S and Pets at Home.... 
5 July 2018

B&Q sweeps the board at Hampton Court with award-winning Bizzie Lizzie garden

B&Q sweeps the board at Hampton Court with award-winning Bizzie Lizzie gardenAs well as proving a huge success instore, B&Q’s impatiens revival, the Imara Bizzie Lizzie, has landed B&Q a Gold medal at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, ... 
4 July 2018

Topps’ LFLs continue downward trend in Q3

The tile specialist’s latest trading update revealed a 2.3% decline in like-for-like (LFL) sales for the 13 weeks ended July 1, as Topps reports challenging market but strives to stay ahead with investments in promotional activity and a stronger ... 
4 July 2018

HTA and APL members scoop awards at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

HTA and APL members are showcasing garden and plant displays at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, taking place this week (3-8 July 2018), with many winning top awards at the show.The awards are as follows: SHOW GARDENSGOLD - The Landform Garden ... 
3 July 2018

Tesco plans alliance with French giant Carrefour

Tesco and Carrefour has announced its intention to enter into a long-term, strategic alliance. The Alliance will cover the strategic relationship with global suppliers, the joint purchasing of own brand products and goods not for resale. It will be ... 
2 July 2018

Over 300 jobs axed at Homebase after Bunnings departure

Homebase has announced it is cutting 303 jobs at its Milton Keynes head office after Bunnings parent Wesfarmers agreed to divest the Homebase business to Hilco Capital for just £1 in May, as it said the “risks associated with a turnaround don’t ... 
29 June 2018

B&Q responds to Wickes' recruitment drive

DIY giant B&Q has responded to Wickes' announcement that it is "targeting 900 B&Q colleagues" in a bid to bolster its expanding kitchen and bathroom team. Despite Wickes settings its sights on "acquiring design consultants and installers" ... 
29 June 2018

Wickes targets 900 B&Q colleagues, as it ramps up kitchen and bathroom offer

Wickes is investing significantly in its professional kitchen and bathroom offer by acquiring design consultants and installers from B&Q, as its rival pulls plug on installation services in the category.Wickes says it is bucking the ... 
27 June 2018

Carpetright reports losses and stock shortages, as restructure continues

The struggling flooring retailer posted pre-tax losses of £70.5million for the year ended April 28 and says trading at the start of the new financial year was impacted the ongoing CVA and withdrawal of some suppliers, leading to stock shortages.... 
26 June 2018

Tile Mountain opens new showroom in Greater Manchester

Online tile retailer, Tile Mountain opened its second showroom at the weekend – a 10,000sq ft unit in Stockport – with more such outlets in the pipeline following the success of its first-ever bricks-and-mortar location in Tunstall ... 
25 June 2018

Garden retailers see uplift in May

Garden centres across the country reported a boost to trading last month and record results, thanks to the good weather and two Bank Holidays, with core gardening categories seeing double-digit growth ... 
22 June 2018

House of Fraser to close 31 stores

House of Fraser has announced today that the Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) proposals launched on 6 June 2018 have been approved by the companies’ creditors.The creditors’ meetings for House of Fraser (Stores) Limited and House of Fraser ... 
22 June 2018

Wyevale Nurseries reports “best May sales ever”

The Hereford-based nursery said it had the best May ever in its recorded trading history, with sales up by 14% for the month. Wyevale, which supplies into garden centres accross the UK, also reported year-on-year (2017-18) growth of 17% in shrub sales and ... 
22 June 2018

UK and EU Paint coatings industry show united front ahead of Brexit talks

Concerned about possible barriers to trade, the British Coatings Federation (BCF) and CEPE, the European association representing paints and inks, have pledged to continue their close working relationship beyond Brexit and have set out the terms ... 
22 June 2018
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