Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Eighth Global DIY-Summit postponed

Following the continued spread of the Covid-19 outbreak around the world, the high number of infections that persist, as well as the delays seen in the distribution of the vaccines, the event organisers have taken the difficult decision to postpone ... 
16 March 2021

Screwfix planning more than 50 new stores this year, creating around 600 jobs

Screwfix plans to open more than 50 stores this year, creating around 600 new jobs in communities across the UK and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Of the new stores 40 will be in the UK, creating up to 500 new jobs, with the remaining 10 stores ... 
15 March 2021

Toolstation launches “Tools and More” brand strategy with sharp TV spot

Toolstation, one of Britain’s fastest growing suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies, launches its new Tools and More brand strategy with a sharp TV spot, which aired for the first time on Saturday, 13 March. The brand strategy, ... 
15 March 2021

Consumer spending fell 13.8 per cent in February as lockdown continued, yet some sectors saw record growth

Data from Barclaycard, which sees nearly half of the nation’s credit and debit card transactions, reveals that spending on essential items grew 5.3 per cent. Boosted by food and drink specialist stores – including butchers, greengrocers, fresh food ... 
12 March 2021

FIS launches new fairness inclusivity and respect toolkit to mark Women in Construction Week

To mark Women in Construction Week and International Women’s Day 2021, FIS has launched a new Fairness, Inclusivity and Respect (FIR) Toolkit - to support members in their focus on fairness, inclusivity and respect in their workforce. The FIS FIR ... 
11 March 2021

Wickes first ever female installation apprentices start new cohort on IWD

With the announcement earlier in the year of Wickes’ new Installation Apprenticeship scheme, we are pleased to announce that two female apprentices have joined the cohort that started yesterday. Fitting that it was March 8th, International Women’s’ ... 
11 March 2021

FIS signs Building a Safer Future Charter

Finishes and Interiors Sector has signed the Building a Safer Future Charter. The Charter is designed to encourage a proactive response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s Building a Safer Future Review in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.The Charter was ... 
10 March 2021

Kingfisher announces the signing of a franchise agreement with the Al-Futtaim Group to expand B&Q in the Middle East

Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement retailer, today announces the signing of a franchise agreement with the Al-Futtaim Group to expand B&Q in the Middle East, with a first step being the opening of B&Q franchised stores in ... 
9 March 2021

BHETA to hold Q&A session on international freight issues

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is to hold a question and answer session on the current issues for international freight - including BREXIT implications - currently faced by many home improvement and home enhancement companies.... 
9 March 2021

110 years after International Women’s Day began – gender diversity is still a serious issue in the construction industry

Despite campaigning for gender parity for more than 100 years, the latest research shows that 68% of managers within the construction industry believe their sector still struggles with a lack of gender diversity. The research, which comes from multi-... 
8 March 2021

ToughBuilt reminds customers of new sales and ordering arrangements

ToughBuilt Industries is reminding customers of new arrangements for ordering its technically advanced, intelligently designed products which came into effect on 1st March 2021. After this date, builders’ merchants, retailers and other stockists ... 
8 March 2021

RAK Ceramics scores Premier League status with high profile sponsorship deal

Football fans tuning into watch their teams battle it out in the world’s top leagues this spring are being met with a familiar kbb name on pitch-side advertising hoardings, as RAK Ceramics embarks on a high-profile brand visibility campaign. The RAK ... 
8 March 2021

Action required to prevent legionella issues as water quality deteriorates

As England gradually comes out of national lockdown, Tom O'Sullivan, Head of Operations at Guardian Water Treatment urges facilities managers and building maintenance teams to prioritise legionella prevention and water system maintenance to stop the ... 
8 March 2021

Average FTB mortgage deposit now just £10,536

In last week’s Budget, the government announced a guarantee to lenders offering mortgages to homebuyers with just a 5% deposit requirement up to the sum of £600,000. Research by lettings and estate agent, Barrows and Forrester, has looked at what ... 
8 March 2021

More events confirmed for Garden Re-Leaf day 2021

With Garden Re-Leaf Day approaching ever quicker, teams and businesses from across the garden retail sector and beyond are busy making plans for the forthcoming Garden Re-Leaf Day on March 19th. With the event turning 10 this year teams are going ... 
8 March 2021

Hultafors Group completes the acquisition of Fristads, Kansas and Leijona Workwear

The Hultafors Group has completed the acquisition of the Fristads, Kansas and Leijona protective wear brands following approval by the relevant competition authorities. Peter Dumigan, managing director of the Hultafors Group UK, says: "All three ... 
8 March 2021

Leading bathroom retailer lands double award!

In a year full of unique challenges for business across the UK, leading bathroom retailer Plumbworld is helping stem the tide of retail woe and is continuing to go from strength to strength. As well as enjoying significant growth during 2020, the ... 
8 March 2021

Pandemic inspires and helps to finance renovations

Houzz, the leading platform for home renovation and design, has released findings from a recent survey* of its community of homeowners to find out how the coronavirus pandemic impacted their home improvement projects. The survey of more than 3,700 ... 
5 March 2021

Scottish businesses and key personalities unite in call for garden centres to be re-opened

Representatives from Scotland’s horticulture sector have joined together to call for garden centres to be reopened before the end of March. 18 high profile organisations, businesses and individuals have put their signatures to an open letter to the ... 
5 March 2021

Engaging three million new gardeners and being kind to our planet: key themes at the 2021 Virtual Garden Press Event

One of the biggest trade events in the gardening calendar, The Garden Press Event, has taken place virtually for the first time in its 16-year history. For some members of the sector, The Garden Press Event in 2020 may have been the last time they ... 
4 March 2021
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