Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Uttoxeter garden centre welcomes craft concession

Strawberry Garden Centre will be hosting a brand new patchwork, fabric and crafts shop at its Uttoxeter base from Friday, July 5. 
1 July 2013

Topps Tiles to boost web community after competition success

Topps Tiles says its first online competition and web app, launched in February, attracted over 500 entrants and more than 21,000 votes. 
28 June 2013

UPDATE: Dobbies will appeal £75,000 raw sewage fine

Tesco-owned garden centre giant Dobbies will appeal against a hefty fine imposed for allowing sewage from a Cumbrian garden centre to pollute a local waterway. 
28 June 2013

Operating profit almost triples at Carpetright

Group revenue for the UK remained level at Carpetright over the 52 weeks ending April 27, 2013, dropping 15.5% across the rest of Europe, bringing the total group revenue to £457.6m. 
26 June 2013

Employee theft a top concern for retailers

'Insider theft' or theft by employees of stock and/or cash is now among retailers' top three areas of concern, according to a new study released by consultancy Retail Knowledge. 
26 June 2013

'Best paint in the world' ads come under fire

Paint suppliers Farrow & Ball and Marston & Langinger have clashed over the latter's claim to make the best paint in the world. 
26 June 2013

Brits spend almost two months of their lives mowing the lawn

Green fingered enthusiasts spend up to two months of their lives mowing the lawn, according to new research from artificial lawn retailer Grono. 
26 June 2013

QEP announces acquisition of Plasplugs

Tiling and tiling accessories supplier Q.E.P. Co. U.K. Limited completed the purchase of the Plasplugs trade name and other assets of the Plasplugs business on Friday, June 21. 
25 June 2013

Centurion's Ken finally shelves the catalogues

Quite possibly the most senior agent in the hardware industry, Ken Oxley has at last settled down to a well-earned retirement. 
25 June 2013

Which? raps DIY stores over poor gardening advice

Homebase and B&Q have been slammed by Which? Gardening magazine after research revealed a poor quality of staff knowledge about a common gardening problem. 
24 June 2013

Garden-centre-crash drunk driver fined

A drunk driver has been fined for crashing her car into a Norfolk garden centre and causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage. 
24 June 2013

GIMA signs Gyles Brandreth for Awards Dinner

GIMA has named television and radio celebrity Gyles Brandreth as the after-dinner speaker and host for its 2013 GIMA Awards Dinner and Presentation Evening. 
24 June 2013

Seed sales soared in May at GCA garden centres

Despite temperamental weather, sales performed well at GCA garden centres during the month of May, up 15% compared with last year according to the group's Barometer of Trade results. 
24 June 2013

Canadian DIY retail giant Rona sells commercial arm

Rona, Canada's largest home improvement and gardening retailer, is selling off its commercial and professional market division. 
24 June 2013

Gardening Royal Warrant holders all set for palace festival

Three garden product suppliers will be taking part in a one-off event in Buckingham Palace gardens next month marking the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation. 
24 June 2013

Hanging baskets boom as gardeners seek quick fixes

The delayed summer season has turned 2013 into the year of the instant garden, with consumers desperate for quick fixes and instant colour. 
24 June 2013

Harper to head up Bord na Móna UK retail business

Former managing director of Vital Earth GB Ltd and, latterly, business operations manager UK at Bord na Móna UK, Steve Harper is now to head up all of the Bord na Móna UK (BNM UK) retail business. 
20 June 2013

Take a leap and show your support for RDT

Fancy flinging yourself out of an aeroplane to help raise funds for the dedicated industry charity? If so, the Rainy Day Trust is recruiting volunteers for its annual parachute jump in September. 
20 June 2013

Waitrose steps up gardening credentials with online TV channel

The first ever Waitrose gardening TV channel launched yesterday, featuring tips and advice from the UK's favourite gardening celeb and new Waitrose brand ambassador, Alan Titchmarsh. 
20 June 2013

Ironmongery Direct launches apprenticeship scheme

Online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products has taken on four new apprentices in contact centre and distribution department at its HQ in Basildon, working towards NVQ and City & Guilds qualifications. 
20 June 2013
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