Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

Latest News

Woolies-style Alworths to launch next month

After months of press speculation, a chain of Woolworths lookalike stores is now set to hit the high street from November but without the involvement of Tony Page. 
8 October 2009

Bulldog buys Caldwells' assets

Wigan-based spade and fork manufacturer Rollins Bulldog Tools has purchased the assets of Caldwells Manufacturing, which entered administration in June 2009. 
8 October 2009

GIMA freezes membership rates

Association votes to hold fees for another year to help in difficult trading conditions. 
7 October 2009

Prices down in September but DIY remains stable

BRC reports, 'shop prices down on a year ago', with non-food deflation at 1.4% last month, while DIY and gardening sees 2% uplift. 
7 October 2009

Plasti-kote sponsors BBRA

Plasti-kote, market leader in the UK spray paints market, is the latest big name to lend its support to Britain's Best Retailer Awards. 
6 October 2009

Visitors and exhibitors praise 'downsized' Glee

2009 exhibition hailed as best trade show in years by buyers and suppliers who attended. 
6 October 2009

Countdown to Taiwan Hardware Show begins

The Taiwan Hardware Show (THS) and Home Lifestyle Fair (HLS) kick off later this month (Oct 22-25) with the added attraction of the brand new Gardening Pavilion. 
6 October 2009

Tesco non-food delivers "strong performance"

Supermarket giant's group sales grow 8.3% in first half, boosted by an 8% increase in non-food sales. 
6 October 2009

William Sinclair issues trading update

William Sinclair performance 'in line with expectations' according to trading update released this morning. 
5 October 2009

New Visa fee adds to retailers' woes

BRC slams planned hike in Visa card charges that could add around £20m to UK retailer costs, potentially driving up prices on the high street. 
5 October 2009

Hall move for Totally shows

Increased demands on space at Spring Fair have meant the Totally shows, co-locating with Spring Fair for the first time next year, are making the move from hall nine to hall 10. 
5 October 2009

John Lewis own range scores highly in Which? test

Department store chain gets top marks for its fridge and washer-dryer ranges, beating other leading brands. 
5 October 2009

Charles Bentley reports 25% sales rise

Brushware manufacturer recovers from two difficult quarters with "more upbeat sales figures". 
2 October 2009

Trade associations sign formal merger

The merger between the British Hardware Federation and the British Shops & Stores Association was made official yesterday at a signing ceremony in London. 
1 October 2009

Tesco launches installed kitchen and bathroom range

Supermarket goes head to head with DIY and bathroom retailers by introducing new installed range online and instore. 
1 October 2009

UPDATE: More Mica members join Home Hardware

Southwest branch experiences similar trend to Home Hardware Scotland, as 20 ex-Mica members flock to the dealer-owned wholesaler. 
1 October 2009

M&S chairman: consumers more confident

High street retailer reveals 2.7% increase in group sales, with online seeing a 30% boost. 
30 September 2009

High street showing signs of stabilisation

39% of retailers reported year-on-year sales volume increase in September, according to the CBI's Distributive Trades Survey. 
30 September 2009

Wickes sales boosted by kitchen and bathroom investment

Travis Perkins-owned DIY chain reports 20.8% increase in showroom sales, as group sales are "ahead of expectations". 
30 September 2009

Bosch to shed 10,000 jobs this year

Speaking earlier this month Franz Farenbach, Bosch chief exec, said that Bosch would end 2009 with 10,000 fewer employees than it had at the start of the year. A further 100,000 workers will be kept on reduced working hours. 
29 September 2009
*

Most read stories