Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Hozelock denies sale rumours

Garden watering firm "surprised" by story published in The Telegraph claiming it is up for sale for £200m. 
19 April 2011

Tesco increases UK profits, but says "we can do better"

Tesco has reported group sales up 8.1% to £67.6bn for the 52 weeks to February 26, 2011. 
19 April 2011

Asda Income Tracker reveals improvement

The Asda Income Tracker has revealed the first month of improvement in spending power in more than a year. 
19 April 2011

London Gift Fair postponed

Organisers take the decision to put off the September show until market conditions improve. 
15 April 2011

John Lewis’s sales boosted as customers get back into their gardens

Department store chain reported 8% sales up lift last week as home and outdoor living ranges flew out the door. 
15 April 2011

B&Q launches project demos

April 16 will see B&Q launch a series of project demos focusing on DIY jobs that can be completed in one weekend. 
15 April 2011

Fashion chain Next trials garden centre format

Fashion retailer Next is set to open a new store this August featuring a garden centre-style offer alongside its existing home and clothing ranges. 
15 April 2011

Tradesmen predict business uplift in 2011

More than 60% of people say they'll be making changes to their home this year, according to the latest Wickes Home Improvement Report. 
15 April 2011

Spending confidence picks up in March

Nationwide Spending Index reports an increase for the first time since the VAT increase, with overall consumer confidence also up five points, but figures still lag behind pre-recession levels. 
14 April 2011

New stores boost sales at Dunelm, but like-for-likes dip 1.3%

Homewares retailer Dunelm Mill has reported a 1.3% decline in like-for-like sales for its third financial quarter. 
14 April 2011

The Garden Store expands with new acquisition

Garden centre chain takes over the Walled Garden Centre at Elton Hall, marking the opening of its seventh outlet in the UK. 
14 April 2011

Flying Brands warns on profits

Multichannel retailer Flying Brands Limited has suffered a difficult first quarter with its bird food and flowers businesses continuing to underperform. 
14 April 2011

Sarum holds online stock sale

Sarum Wholesale is holding an online auction of its stock after entering administration at the beginning of March. 
13 April 2011

Notcutts achieves 'Full Member' status

Notcutts Garden Centres has become the first garden centre group to receive 'full member' status of the Growing Media Initiative (GMI). 
13 April 2011

All-in-One buys Hills Garden Centre

Manchester gardening business expands with new acquisition and hints at future growth plans. 
13 April 2011

Use of temporary workers rising, but full-time jobs boost employment rate

The use of temporary workers in the UK rose by more than 10% in March, according to new data from temporary agency labour procurer de Poel. 
13 April 2011

Exclusively takes firm stance on product copying

The Anti Copying in Design (ACID) organisation is first-time exhibitor at this year's Exclusively Hosewares and will be on hand to offer advice on how to protect designs and products from copying. 
13 April 2011

Sales suffer worst decline since 1995, says BRC

UK retail sales have suffered the worst decline for 16 years, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. 
12 April 2011

Garden Centre Group launches pet shops in its centres

Gardening chain will open pet shops at 30 of its garden centres across the UK this month, offering pet food, kennels, bedding, pet accessories and a range of chicken products. 
12 April 2011

Forgefix Q1 sales increase 38%

Fastenings and fixings supplier Forgefix has reported a massive 38% sales increase for Jan-April this year compared with Q1 2010. 
12 April 2011
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