Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Robert Dyas chief exec steps down after five months

The board of Robert Dyas Holdings Limited has announced that the retailer's chief executive Steve McVey has resigned from the company, less than five months after he was appointed to the role. 
16 December 2011

Abus teams up with Aldridge Security

Abus has secured a national distribution agreement with Aldridge Security with effect from January 2012. 
15 December 2011

Christmas sales "on a knife edge", says BRC

Footfall on UK high streets fell by 2.6% year-on-year last week, according to the latest BRC-Springboard Footfall Monitor. 
15 December 2011

Redundancies at Beverley Garden Centre

Sixty employees have been handed redundancy notices at Beverley Garden Centre in Woodmansey, part of the Garden Centre Group. 
15 December 2011

Armed robbery at Frosts Garden Centre

Employee bound and held at gunpoint, while assailant stole cash from the safe at Woburn Sands garden centre on Monday morning. 
14 December 2011

Mary Portas reveals high street rescue plan

Mary Portas unveiled her independent review of the UK's high streets yesterday, with a set of 28 recommendations aimed at reviving our flagging town centres. 
14 December 2011

Home Hardware names Akzo Nobel Supplier of the Year

Award was presented to Akzo independent business manager Nick Andrews in recognition of the paint firm's service to Home Hardware's distribution business at Pottington and Bedford. 
13 December 2011

Carpetright suffers profit loss in H1

Carpetright has reported an £800,000 profit loss in the first half of its financial year, as it continues to navigate a "very challenging trading environment". 
13 December 2011

Wickes' like-for-like sales drop 6.8%

Wickes has reported a 6.8% decline in like-for-like sales for the past eight weeks, according to a trading update released by parent company Travis Perkins today. 
13 December 2011

Wickes opens first high street store

Wickes has opened its first high street store in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, as part of its growing multichannel offer. 
12 December 2011

M&S introduces new online packaging management tool

Home and fashion retailer teams up with The Less Packaging Company to launch Packspec as part of its Plan A commitment to reduce packaging on its general merchandise ranges. 
12 December 2011

Tesco launches boiler installation service

Supermarket giant Tesco has launched a new boiler installation service in partnership with heating company Enact Energy. 
12 December 2011

Futuristic design wins Hartman UK competition

Garden furniture company Hartman UK is set to put two new designs into production created by student designers from Birmingham City University. 
9 December 2011

Hunter Douglas acquires Integra

Window coverings and architectural products manufacturer Hunter Douglas has acquired British company Integra for an undisclosed sum. 
9 December 2011

Planters sponsors national archery champion

Planters Garden Centre has announced that Matthew Ingram, who is sponsored by the company, has been named the Junior Indoor National Champion for under 16s compound archery. 
9 December 2011

EH Smith wins display award

Independent builders merchant EH Smith was the star in this year's Toolbank Christmas display competition. 
7 December 2011

Dog Rocks signs up with Solus

Dog Rocks has announced a distribution agreement with garden products supplier Solus Garden & Leisure. 
7 December 2011

Retailers face £350m business rates blow

Retailers will be hit by additional costs of £350m next year, says the BRC, after the Government confirmed a 5.6% uplift in business rates. 
7 December 2011

Superglass invests £6.5m in Stirling manufacturing plant

Glass fibre insulation manufacturer announces it will commence a £6.5m capital expenditure programme at its Stirling manufacturing plant in March next year with completion scheduled for March 2013. 
6 December 2011

Homebase collects for Teenage Cancer Trust this weekend

Homebase stores across the country are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds each for Teenage Cancer Trust in a national Christmas collection fundraiser this weekend. 
6 December 2011
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