Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Lawsons sells Poores Chorleywood on to Lords

The hardware store Poores of Chorleywood has a new owner - the second in less than a year. 
22 May 2014

Furniture and barbecue sales led the way in April

According to the Garden Centre Association's Barometer of Trade results sales of furniture and barbecues were up 51% compared to April 2013. 
21 May 2014

Homebase ranks 99 out of 100 stores in Which? best and worst shop survey

Which? surveyed 12,504 people to expose the best and worst of UK shops, revealing Homebase to come second from last place with a customer satisfaction score of 56%. 
21 May 2014

Wells hardware shop recognised for local services

A long-established Somerset hardware store has been recognised for the level of service it provides to local people as an independent retailer. 
21 May 2014

Less than four weeks left to bag a GIMA Award

Suppliers now have less than four weeks to enter for this year's prestigious GIMA Awards. 
21 May 2014

UPDATE: 91 jobs go at Solus

Sweeping redundancies were announced at Solus this afternoon, less than a week after the garden wholesaler went into administration
21 May 2014

Improving consumer confidence helps Topps Tiles achieve successful first half

Topps Tiles has reported in its interim results that pre-tax profits have soared from £4.7m to £8m, helped by a boost in consumer confidence. 
20 May 2014

Ryobi celebrates success of third annual conference

More than 300 customers from all over Europe attended the tool brand's conference, which took place at Chateau St Just, near Paris last month. 
20 May 2014

William Sinclair reports disappointing sales and increased debt

Growing media supplier William Sinclair today issued a trading update stating that sales and margins have disappointed and it expects to report a loss for the year. 
20 May 2014

Dulux defends decision to sell direct online

Having come under fire from independent retailers and wholesalers in the industry, paint brand Dulux is defending its latest move to sell paint and brushes direct to consumers online, stating that the findings will benefit its retail customers. 
20 May 2014

Stanley Black & Decker partners with FC Barcelona

Stanley Black & Decker has announced one of its largest global partnerships ever - an association with football giant FC Barcelona. 
19 May 2014

Discount chain B&M set for £2bn share listing

Discount retailer B&M will outline plans this week for a share listing in a deal that reports estimate will be worth £2bn or more. 
19 May 2014

Plant nursery staff to walk 30 miles for Greenfingers

Staff from Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford will walk 30 miles on Saturday, June 7, to raise money for Greenfingers. 
16 May 2014

Remaining 22 Paul Simon stores to close as no buyer is found

Shutters have already closed for the final time on 21 Paul Simon stores and now administrators have announced that the remaining 22 stores will close as a buyer could not be found. 
16 May 2014

Napoleon Grills supports Epilepsy Action's barbecue fundraiser

Napoleon Grills is supporting Epilepsy Action's Get Grilling, Get Giving fundraising campaign this summer. 
15 May 2014

10,000 children help Scotts Miracle-Gro with Chelsea gardens

More than 10,000 primary and secondary school children have embraced gardening and horticulture for the first time, thanks to Scotts Miracle-Gro's community outreach programme. 
15 May 2014

Growing demand 'points to better year for retail'

The health of UK retail is steadily improving, with an uplift in the first quarter expected to be matched in the second. 
15 May 2014

Footwear retailer Brantano plans more garden centre concessions

Footwear specialist Brantano is poised to set up 30 more concessions within garden centres this year. 
15 May 2014

Solus up for sale as it goes into administration

Troubles at Solus Garden & Leisure came to a head today as the company collapsed into administration. 
15 May 2014

BHETA explores trading potential with US homewares giant

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is in talks with US retailer Bed Bath & Beyond with a view to identifying potential trading opportunities for its members. 
14 May 2014
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