Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Glee New Product Award winners announced

The winners of the coveted Glee New Product Awards 2017 have been announced at this year’s Glee exhibition in Birmingham.Selected from hundreds of entries showcased at the show, the winning products were chosen by an expert panel of judges, ... 
12 September 2017

Bunnings opens stores in Kent and north west of England

Gary Pallister with Bunnings Broadstairs team membersHome improvement and garden retailer, Bunnings Warehouse, opened its doors to customers this morning at Westwood Gateway Retail Park in Broadstairs, Kent.Creating over 43 new full and part time ... 
12 September 2017

BBC Breakfast live from Glee

Glee hit the UK’s TV screens yesterday morning as BBC’s Breakfast programme was broadcast live from the event.One of the presenters, Steph McGovern, interviewed leading garden industry figures in the halls.The programme returned to the show several ... 
12 September 2017

Online retailer ManoMano to develop its UK DIY and gardening market share with €60 million investment

ManoMano, one of the leading European online marketplaces for DIY and gardening products, announced today that it has raised €60 million in Series C funding led by General Atlantic, a global growth equity firm. Existing investors Piton Capital, ... 
11 September 2017

An autumnal feel for the high street in August

High street footfall declined by 2.6% in August, and shopping centre footfall decelerated to -0.8% in the same period, according to the Springboard retail footfall figures. In contrast, retail parks continued their recent trend of positive growth; ... 
11 September 2017

BHETA forum targets home improvement suppliers

BHETA’s next networking forum is to feature guest speakers from Selco, ManoMano and Stax, guaranteeing an informative, practical and up to the minute agenda. Head of retail at KPMG Paul Martin will deliver the latest view on the economic situation ... 
8 September 2017

HTA all set for Glee 2017

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is looking forward to welcoming members at Glee next week. The organisation has an increased presence at the trade show this year, partnering with the new Retail Lab @ Glee feature, as well as holding the ... 
6 September 2017

Slightly softer sales trend for Clas Ohlson

Clas Ohlson has reported soft sales growth but strong earnings in the last quarter due to lower footfall during the summer months. ?“We are closing the first quarter with sales of 1,783 MSEK, up 1% year-on-year. Operating profit increased by 33% to ... 
6 September 2017

Local family run business launches new Home Hardware store

Euronics Telecentre is one of the oldest businesses still operating on the High Street in Stapleford, Nottingham. Family run by Babinder and Harbinder Sandhu since 1986, the couple are proud independent retailers specialising in home appliances and ... 
5 September 2017

Squire’s in West Horsley starts story time sessions

Squire’s Garden Centre in West Horsley is starting a free drop-in story time session for pre-school children with their parents or guardians, held every Monday 9.30-10.00am during term-time. The first one will start on Monday 11, September. These ... 
5 September 2017

Retail sales up in August with home improvement a standout sector

In August, UK retail sales increased by 1.3% on a like-for-like basis from August 2016, when they had decreased 0.9% from the preceding year.On a total basis, sales rose 2.4% in the period covering July 30 – August 26, against a decline of 0.3% in ... 
5 September 2017

AkzoNobel finalies acquisition of Disa Technology

AkzoNobel has finalised the acquisition of French manufacturer, Disa Technology (Disatech). The acquisition strengthens AkzoNobel’s global leadership position in supplying industrial coatings and aerospace and automotive coatings.Headquartered in ... 
4 September 2017

Farewell to fish at Squires in Cobham

Squire’s Garden Centre in Cobham is making some changes: the Café Bar will be extended to have a much larger seating area with stylish new furniture. This will coincide with a new winter menu and create a more relaxing environment and a great place ... 
4 September 2017

Exponent Private Equity LLP completes purchase of Scotts Miracle-Gro International Consumer Business

Exponent Private Equity LLP has announced that it has completed its purchase of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company’s business in Europe and Australia.The purchase of the international business of consumer lawn and garden products includes ScottsMiracle-... 
4 September 2017

Dover Homebase to close

The Homebase store in Dover has officially announced plans to close. The premises in Honeywood Parkway, Whitfield will cease trading in five weeks' time and there are no plans for a Bunnings Warehouse to replace it.Homebase has been bought out by ... 
2 September 2017

John Lewis expands professional trade service trial

John Lewis will expand a trial of a brand new home improvement and maintenance service across Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Taunton from 12 September. The initiative, called ‘Home Solutions from John Lewis’, which has already ... 
1 September 2017

UK discount retail market forecast to grow by 36.1%

The UK discount retail market is set to grow by 36.1% reaching a total value of £32.5bn by 2022 according to GlobalData, with DIY, gardening and homewares gaining market share from mainstream retailers.The company’s latest report: UK Discounters ... 
1 September 2017

Profits up for Grafton

Grafton reported a good first half driven principally by organic growth across the Group’s businesses. There was a significant improvement in all key measures of financial performance in the period, with a notable increase in return on capital ... 
31 August 2017

Wilko to open new South Yorkshire stores

Value home and garden retailer, Wilko, has announced the opening of two new stores in the South Yorkshire region.Its new Cortonwood Shopping Park store, near Barnsley, will open on Wednesday 6 September at 9am. The retailer is set to give away £20 ... 
30 August 2017

Sainsbury’s launches new Argos Click & Collect service in convenience stores

Sainsbury’s has announced that it is launching an Argos Click & Collect service in 100 Sainsbury’s Local convenience stores nationwide. The initiative is due to be complete by the end of 2017. It will enable customers to order Argos products and ... 
30 August 2017
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