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B&Q to partner Sentebale at next year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show

B&Q will partner Sentebale, a children's charity founded by Prince Harry and Prince Deeiso of Lesotho, at next year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with a garden designed by landscape designer Jinny Blom. 
30 November 2012

Obituary: John Plant, Kitchen Craft

The directors of kitchenware and former ironmongery supplier Kitchen Craft - Andrew Plant, Richard Plant and Peter Bushell - have announced the passing of John Plant on November 22, aged 84, after a long battle with cancer. 
30 November 2012

John Lewis enthuses about BHETA Meet the Buyer day

Building on the success of its previous Meet the Buyer days, the British Home Enhancement Trade Association's recent event with John Lewis produced "some wonderful results", according to the retailer. 
30 November 2012

BSI and WWF launch guidance over illegal timber

With trade in wood from illegal or controversial sources still going on, new good practice guidance to support industry efforts in responsible sourcing and sustainable forest management has been issued. 
30 November 2012

Mobile shopping to dominate Christmas sales

As 'Cyber Monday' heralds the peak of online Christmas shopping sales, retail experts are predicting mobile transactions to increase ten-fold this year. 
30 November 2012

Wood-care loses its polish - but light bulbs shine

With overall wood-care sales down almost £17m year on year between January and October, it is clear that 2012 has been a difficult time for the market. 
30 November 2012

B&Q's LfL sales improve to -4% as Screwfix continues winning trend

Kingfisher has announced its third quarter trading results, revealing an overall sales slide of 2.8% like-for-like, settling current revenue at £2.7bn. B&Q UK and Ireland saw sales decline 2.3% to £906m, a dip of 4% LfL, but retail profit was boosted by 1.7% due to higher gross margins. 
29 November 2012

Homebase unveils new-look store and first Habitat concession

Home improvement chain yesterday showcased an £800,000 refit of its store in Ruislip, with learnings from its newly revamped Aylesford branch, and the introduction of its first Habitat mini store. 
29 November 2012

Extended Sunday trading would "fuel supermarkets' greed"

In the wake of Morrisons and Asda bosses campaigning for longer Sunday trading hours on December 23, independent retailers are divided on whether they would open longer in the hopes of cashing in on last minute purchases, or give their staff the time to themselves. 
29 November 2012

Travis Perkins rolls out tool hire brand

Sixteen Travis Perkins branches across the North of England have been earmarked for the roll out o a dedicated tool hire brand called Hire It. 
29 November 2012

B&Q and Valspar partnership to "transform the paint market in the UK"

The Valspar Corporation, which owns PlastiKote among other paint brands, has announced a strategic partnership with B&Q which will see the DIY giant supply a full selection of premium Valspar paints in every store. 
29 November 2012

Watson Home Hardware window is a festive triumph

First prize in this year's Home Hardware Christmas window dressing competition has been scooped by the Sutton-on-Sea, Lincolnshire store Watson Home Hardware. 
29 November 2012

Dobbies plans new £8m Garden World for Harrogate

Dobbies revealed plans this week to build a new £8m Garden World in Harrogate, which, it says, would be a 'state-of-the-art horticultural centre of excellence'. 
29 November 2012

Innovation the name of the game at Screwfix and BHETA event

More than 80 suppliers braved the recent floods of the Westcountry to attend BHETA's latest Meet the Buyer/Screwfix Innovation Day at the aptly-chosen Yeovil Innovation Centre this week. 
29 November 2012

Family firm Bentley Brushware wins manufacturing award

Bentley Brushware has been highly commended in the Manufacturing Excellence category of this year's Midlands Family Business Awards. 
29 November 2012

High streets 'being crippled' by empty property tax

Over 90% of surveyors believe that charges placed on shops and offices are significantly detrimental to the recovery of the nation's town centres. 
28 November 2012

Utilities supplier Burdens goes into administration

Just weeks after selling part of its business to builders merchant Wolseley, the utility and civil engineering products supplier Burdens has gone into administration. 
28 November 2012

125 more Comet stores to close by Christmas

Another 125 Comet stores are set to face the axe next month, administrators of the electrical chain announced today. 
28 November 2012

Compulsory withdrawal for dangerous hammer

A hammer has been compulsorily withdrawn from the market after it was found that parts can fly off when it is being used. 
28 November 2012

Haskins celebrates success of new £2.3m restaurant

Management at Haskins raised a glass this month to the first-year success of a new restaurant at one of its garden centres. 
27 November 2012
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