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Incentives and a simple new lease aim to boost high street

A growing number of retail landlords resorted to offering incentives to help them let their premises last quarter, as demand continued to struggle. 
11 July 2012

Rain washes away Grafton Group retail sales

Bad weather took a heavy toll on the retail side of Grafton Group's operations in the first half of the year, the business revealed in a trading update today. 
11 July 2012

Electric shock inverter is recalled

An inverter that can give the user an electric shock or even catch fire has been recalled. 
11 July 2012

Red paint is sole reason to hot-foot it to Homebase

In one of the more unlikely scenarios to be experienced by the DIY market, droves of fashionistas are heading to Homebase and clearing the shelves of red paint tester pots. 
11 July 2012

Tool Connection invests in new facility

Laser Tools brand opens new showroom and research and development facility. 
10 July 2012

Wet weather puts dampener on June sales

DIY and gardening missed out on a jump in sales during June thanks to the miserable weather. 
10 July 2012

GCA awards to reveal the cream of the crop

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) is unveiling the 'Best in Area' garden centre winners at six awards presentation evenings taking place nationwide this month. 
9 July 2012

Canterbury garden centre opens Bucknalls restaurant

The Kent-based business has jumped on the catering bandwagon which has taken garden centre retail by storm, working alongside the successful restaurateur to rejuvenate its catering offering. 
9 July 2012

HTA delight as last water bans go

The Horticultural Trade Association expressed its "delight" as the last remaining hosepipe bans in the UK were lifted. 
9 July 2012

Coopers extends opening hours

Five-strong East Anglian diy store chain Coopers has switched to seven day trading. 
9 July 2012

DIY store celebrates 50 years of trading

Sheppards DIY in Coventry celebrated its 50th anniversary with open days last Saturday and Sunday. 
9 July 2012

Theo Paphitis looks set to buy Dyas

Robert Dyas is keeping mum over newspaper reports that the 100-store chain is being bought by retail tycoon Theo Paphitis. 
9 July 2012

Solex outgrows its venue

The Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition - which has traditionally been a firm fixture at the Telford International Centre - will be moving to the Birmingham NEC for its 2013 show. 
6 July 2012

Dunelm Mill reports "exceptional growth" due to wet weather

The retailer has revealed revenue growth of 12.1% for the year ending June 30, 2012, with 3.1% like-for-like sales growth bringing its total sales to £603.7m in its cheerful trading update for Q4 and the full 52 weeks. 
5 July 2012

Mica joins the fight against crime

The co-operative of DIY and hardware retailers has joined forces with Crimestoppers to help protect people's homes. 
5 July 2012

Retailers lead the way to greener goods

"Truly ground-breaking" is how the head of the environment at the British Retail Consortium has described a new collaboration involving retailers and suppliers in a bid to cut the environmental footprint of the goods they deal with, from food to DIY products. 
5 July 2012

Unite inundated with claims from ex-Focus employees

Trade Union Unite said its switchboards were "on meltdown", with calls "every 12 seconds", since it called on former Focus staff to get in touch and see if they are eligible for compensation. 
5 July 2012

Topps Tiles announces 2% LfL sales breakthrough for Q3

Following a recent spate of disappointing revenue drops, the tiling retailer has revealed a 2.1% like-for-like increase for the 13 weeks ending June 30. 
4 July 2012

Cleaners and polishes shine as consumers make do and mend

Strong value growth in sales of carpet cleaning products and furniture polishes show that consumers are willing to spend more money on products that help to protect and maintain household items that are expensive to replace. 
4 July 2012

"We need multiples" says BRC - on Independents' Day

On the day shoppers are being urged to buy something from an independent store in recognition of Independents' Day, the British Retail Consortium says high streets can thrive only if they include multiples too. 
4 July 2012
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