Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Longer-term picture of retail sales "is one of slowing growth" says ONS

The Retail Sales Index from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown that retail sales were boosted in the last three months of 2017, perhaps with credit being due to Black Friday sales.The Retail Sales Index showed that in the latest ... 
22 January 2018

Carpetright issues profit warning with trading "significantly behind expectations"

Carpetright plc, Europe’s specialist carpet and floor coverings retailer, has announced an update on trading for the 11 weeks ended 13 January 2018.Despite reporting sales growth in the third quarter, trading in the important post-Christmas period ... 
22 January 2018

Rustins back in production within week of fire

Woodcare and specialist paint manufacturer, Rustins’ facilities are already up and running, working to replenish the stock that was destroyed in huge blaze that devastated the warehouse and offices at its site in North London. Nearly 100 firefighters ... 
19 January 2018

Woodie's posts revenue jump in Q4, as merchanting sector 'softens'

Grafton Group's retailing division, which includes Irish retailer Woodie's DIY, has recorded a growth in revenue of 14.8% in the fourth quarter. Woodie's traded strongly through the year benefitting from the strong economy, new and extended product ... 
16 January 2018

GCA announces awards host

Radio and TV comedian Jo Caulfield will be compering the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) conference awards’ dinner this month.Ms Caulfield, who is also a comedy writer, has worked on some of the biggest shows and with some of the top names in ... 
16 January 2018

Dunelm reports strong LFLs in second quarter

Homewares retailer saw like-for-like (LFL) sales rise by 3.4% to £255million in the 13 weeks ended December 30, with online LFL figures soaring 30.5% but profits are expected to take a dip in first half.Dunelm opened five new stores during the ... 
16 January 2018

Christmas period has shown a change in shopper behaviour

A report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has analysed the five weeks beginning 26 November - 30 December, and this shows year-on-year, December Footfall decreased sharply by 3.5%, the biggest decline since March 2013 when it dropped by 5.2%.... 
15 January 2018

Garden industry welcomes Defra 25-Year environment plan

Many actions were announced which will benefit horticulture and suggestions of working together to improve the industry in the Government’s ‘A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment’, published last week.The Horticultural Trades ... 
15 January 2018

Covers acquires OTBS

Covers Timber & Builders Merchants has acquired Orpington Timber & Building Supplies Ltd (OTBS) in Bexleyheath, Kent, strengthening its portfolio of branches in the South East to 15 depots.Covers already operates a depot at Longfield Road, ... 
15 January 2018

Wickes significantly expands wallpaper offer with Graham & Brown designs

Home improvement retailer Wickes has added 279 brand new wallpaper styles, from designer Graham & Brown, to its existing range.The newest additions to the Wickes wallpaper portfolio comprise of a selection of popular design trends including Duck ... 
10 January 2018

Squire’s names Long Ditton site its Garden Centre of the Year

Squire’s Garden Centres has announced the winners of its annual garden centre awards, with its branch in Long Ditton coming out top and winning the double – best Garden Centre and best Café Bar of the year.Despite tough competition amongst the ... 
9 January 2018

UPDATE: Manufacturing facilities survive Rustins blaze

Following news of a huge fire at the Rustins paint factory on Waterloo Road, Staples Corner, the company has confirmed that its warehouse suffered the worst of the damage, with all stock lost but added that its manufacturing facilities survived the ... 
9 January 2018

Major blaze at Rustins paint factory

Firefighters tackled a major fire at the site of North London paint firm Rustins last night. A total of 15 fire engines and nearly 100 firefighters and officers from Hendon and surrounding fire stations attended the blaze at the large paint factory ... 
9 January 2018

Tildenet grows with another acquisition

Tildenet has acquired specialist textiles and netting supplier, Fleximas, which joins other brands that are part of the group.Announcing the takeover today, Tildenet said this latest acquisition signals that 2018 will be “another year of significant ... 
8 January 2018

IAMS to return as sponsor of Crufts

Celebrating its 2nd consecutive year as a sponsor of Crufts, the pet food brand IAMS will this year return to the world’s biggest and most popular dog show as the official sponsor of Flyball. Since making its Crufts debut in 1990, the Flyball ... 
8 January 2018

Wickes to open store in Wisbech

Years after Wickes first considered moving to Wisbech, their new store is set to open on 7th Feb 2018.The store is 20,000 sq ft sales area with 5,000 sq.ft mezzanine and 5,000 sq.ft outdoor project centre, creating 30 jobs.Wickes first proposed ... 
5 January 2018

Pre-Christmas discounts spur shop price slide

Pre-Christmas discounts spur shop price slide Non-food prices fell at their fastest rate since January 2017, declining 2.1% year on year, compared to 1.1% in November, as retailers stepped up promotional activity to ‘stimulate spending’. Shop prices ... 
5 January 2018

Garden centres can keep momentum of houseplants going in January

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is encouraging garden retail businesses to keep the gardening season going in winter by showcasing colourful winter-flowering houseplants to entice customers to brighten up their indoor space and increase ... 
5 January 2018

Bunnings opens new store in Chichester

Home improvement and garden retailer Bunnings Warehouse officially opened its doors in Chichester today (4 January 2018), creating over 20 full and part time jobs.The new store, which is on the site of the former Homebase in Discovery Park, is over ... 
4 January 2018

Business as usual at Bunnings, despite boss' three-month break

The news that Bunnings UK managing director Peter (PJ) Davis will take a three-month break to return to Australia this month was initially met with surprise but the move was apparently always on the on the cards... 
3 January 2018
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