Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Stax registers as private company

The wholesale and cash and carry operator has announced a change of status, as it prepares for future growth. The Stax business has been re-registered as a Private Limited Company and will now be known as Stax Trade Centres Ltd.“This is a ... 
17 July 2018

Winners announced for GIMA Awards 2018

The winners of the GIMA awards 2018 were announced at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, in South Wales last week. The pinnacle of the garden retail industry’s calendar, the event brought together manufacturers, retailers, members of the press and ... 
16 July 2018

GCA to host international congress

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) is set to host the International Garden Centre Association congress for the first time in 10 years, with garden retailers from across the globe to attend the 20119 event.The GCA is expecting 250 delegates from ... 
13 July 2018

Stax acquires Groundsman from Harris

Wholesale operator, Stax Trade Centres has expanded its own-brand offering with the acquisition of the Groundsman brush range range of household brooms, brushes and dustpans.The Groundsman brand, which was previously distributed by LG Harris, joins ... 
13 July 2018

B&M posts 8.3% sales jump in Q1

Discount retail chain reported its best-ever first quarter early summer trading season, with record sales from garden and outdoor leisure ranges and like-for-like sales up 1.6% across the UK business. The strong start to the year, B&M believes, ... 
12 July 2018

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
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