Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Deadline extended for Product of the Year

Entry deadline for Product of the Year 2011 has been extended by seven days so there's still time to make sure your newest products are in the running for an award. 
14 February 2011

Nine jobs lost as Garden Centre Group closes smallest centre

The Garden Centre Group is set to close its smallest centre at Church Lawford, with the loss of nine jobs. 
14 February 2011

Test-Rite UK md sells business

Test-Rite UK md Dermot Mullins, who helped set up B&Q stores in Taiwan with Taiwanese parent company Test-Rite, has sold his entire share interest in the UK business back to his Taiwanese partners. 
14 February 2011

Brabantia moves into dining

Best known for its range of bins, Brabantia is moving out of the kitchen and into the dining room with its latest launch - a range of casual dining products. 
14 February 2011

Small increases at John Lewis boosted by home ranges

Retail chain reports a 1.2% sales increase for first week of February, as customers lean towards new home ranges, including textiles and dining. 
11 February 2011

DIY market shows "reasonable" performance in 2010

The DIY products market declined by just 0.2% in value in 2010, according to a recent market update from GfK Retail and Technology UK. 
11 February 2011

Visitor numbers strong at Totally shows

Totally shows organiser Brintex has confirmed another successful show, with 6,116 visitors flocking to Birmingham's NEC from February 6-8. 
10 February 2011

B&Q set to boost DIY skills among young people

B&Q is launching a three-year partnership with charity UK Youth to give young people the opportunity and confidence to take on their own DIY and home improvement projects. 
10 February 2011

Show Stopper winners announced

Congratulations to all the Gold and Silver winners at this year's Show Stoppers Best New Product Awards, sponsored by DIY Week and sister magazines HGR and Builders Merchants Journal
9 February 2011

Retailers absorb VAT rise in January

Non-food inflation up by 0.2% as British Retail Consortium warns against a rates rise which could hamper recovery. 
9 February 2011

Proposed Scottish retailer levy scrapped

SRC delighted as parliament vote against introduction of Large Retailer Levy but asks that the government consult retailers about proposals in future. 
8 February 2011

Non-food sales boosted in January, says BRC

UK retail sales rose 2.3% on a like-for-like basis in January, although compared with a much weaker January 2010, when sales fell 0.7% due to bad weather. 
8 February 2011

The Range reaches 50 stores

Home and garden retailer The Range is set to open its 50th superstore in Erdington, Birmingham, on February 25. 
8 February 2011

Screwfix launches standalone bathroom proposition

New concept designed to engage both tradesmen and consumers, with first store already open in Stoke on Trent. 
8 February 2011

Steven Round in shock exit from Robert Dyas

Robert Dyas has confirmed that ceo Steven Round has left the business. 
4 February 2011

Focus launches Assisted Living range

DIY chain targets over 60s with new product offer to make household tasks easier, including items for the kitchen, personal care and home security. 
4 February 2011

Vergo Retail brand assets up for sale

Intellectual asset specialist Metis Partners has been appointed by joint administrators MCR to sell off the brand assets of Vergo Retail, which went into administration in May last year. 
3 February 2011

Best Buy Europe ceo steps down

Best Buy Europe ceo Scott Wheway has stepped down from his position to become a strategic advisor at US parent company Best Buy. 
3 February 2011

Dobbies Braehead to open tomorrow

New £8m state-of-the-art garden centre at Braehead, Renfrewshire will open to the public on Friday, February 4. 
3 February 2011

Cash-strapped consumers report drop in confidence

As pressures on personal budgets mount, the latest Consumer Confidence Survey reveals the proportion of people who say they have no spare cash has risen to 27%. 
2 February 2011
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