Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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The return of retail, but not as we know it

Non-essential retail stores will re-open in less than three weeks, but how will Britain's retailers fare in the post-Covid landscape? Founder of shopping app Ubamarket discusses why stores must go beyond cleanliness guidelines and offer a more ... 
26 May 2020

GIMA confirms Consumer & Design Trends webinar series

Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, GIMA’s Consumer & Design Trends seminar was sadly cancelled, however delegates – including GIMA members, non-members and for the first time, retailers - are being offered a second chance to learn more about the ... 
22 May 2020

Toolstation launches ‘Head First’ to support trade mental health

Toolstation has launched an initiative to help provide support to the mental health and wellbeing needs of those working in the trade. Working together with the mental health anti-stigma campaign, Time to Change, ‘Head First’ will encourage the ... 
21 May 2020

HTA Launches Virtual New Plant Awards

The HTA (Horticultural Trades Association) has announced today that it will be hosting its New Plant Awards as a ‘virtual’ event this year. The New Plant Awards are usually one of the highlights of the National Plant Show, held by the HTA in June ... 
21 May 2020

Makeovers for mindfulness: DIY expert Craig Phillips drills home a mental health message 

As self-isolation and staying at home become the new norm, there are concerns that the measures in place to protect our physical health may have an adverse affect on our mental wellbeing. Mental health charities, including SANE, have noted a spike ... 
20 May 2020

National BBQ Week, 25-31 May - Britain in BBQ Boom!

Ahead of National BBQ Week (beginning on Monday 25 May) Weber has released its latest market report, as good weather and lockdown have combined to create a BBQ boom in Britain!Barbecuing has never been more popular in the UK says Weber Barbecues (... 
20 May 2020

What can the retail sector learn from supermarkets ahead of their return?

As stores prepare to open from June 1st, retailers must adapt their operations to be successful amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Following the example of stores which have successfully navigated the crisis will help bring customers in-store safely, ... 
19 May 2020

Bradford Garden Centre's successful reopening 

Management at a Bradford garden centre have thanked members of the public who have made the reopening of the centre safe and successful. Like many garden centres nationwide, Tong Garden Centre opened its doors to the public last Wednesday after ... 
19 May 2020

GIMA welcomes government-backed trade credit insurance guarantee

Last week, the UK government confirmed that it will step in to prop up the trade credit insurance market, bringing welcome relief to GIMA members and other suppliers within the garden retail sector. Trade credit insurance is a contract bought by ... 
18 May 2020

Gro-Along Evergreen Garden Care launches virtual gardening series with David Domoney

Leading garden care brand Evergreen Garden Care (www.lovethegarden.com), has teamed up with Charted Horticulturalist and TV Gardener, David Domoney, to create the ‘Grow with David Domoney’ series. Aired on Facebook Live via Evergreen Garden Care’s ‘... 
15 May 2020

Consumers respond positively to DIY retailers' protective measures

British consumers have praised social distancing measures put in place by DIY retailers with over 80 per cent saying that it was easy to follow protective guidelines inside stores, according to a study by Kantar. Kantar asked shoppers who visited re-... 
15 May 2020

LifestyleGarden thanks keyworkers with special giveaway

It’s hard to think of a way that will truly demonstrate our gratitude for all the keyworkers that are holding this country together during the Covid-19 lockdown. LifestyleGarden - one of the UK’s leading outdoor furniture suppliers – knew they ... 
14 May 2020

Three in five tradespeople say pandemic has negatively impacted their mental health

New research from home improvement and repair service, Local Heroes, has today revealed that three in five (60 per cent) skilled tradespeople across the nation feel the COVID-19 outbreak has caused a negative effect on their mental health. Ahead ... 
14 May 2020

Wickes stores set for phased reopening in May

Wickes is to begin a phased reopening of its stores to the public in the next two weeks, with strict new safety measures in place to protect customers and colleagues. Despite being an essential retailer, Wickes took the decision to serve its ... 
13 May 2020

HTA urges its members to take a thoughtful and considered approach to reopening

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has issued this industry response to the reopening of garden centres in England from Wednesday 13 May.HTA Chairman, James Barnes, said: “Following on from Friday’s announcement that garden centres in Wales ... 
13 May 2020

New online garden retailer Lockdown Gardener launches for home delivery

Last week saw the launch of Lockdown Gardener, a new type of business in the horticulture sector that is very customer-focused, digital in nature, born out of lockdown and driven by a sense of purpose.The business was started as a response to the ... 
11 May 2020

BHETA Covid-19 weekly economic update: Slight improvement predicted in DIY and garden figures

According to The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA)’s latest weekly Covid-19 financial update for members, the forecast for growth in DIY and garden expenditure for 2020 has shown a small improvement – thanks largely to the gradual ... 
11 May 2020

Hartley Botanic experiences spike in demand for glasshouses & greenhouses to ‘grow your own’ during lockdown

Historic Glasshouse and Greenhouse manufacturer Hartley Botanic is experiencing a renewed demand from homeowners in its handmade Greenhouses during lockdown, as the benefit of being more self-sufficient and ‘growing your own’ is thrown sharply into ... 
11 May 2020

Toolbank provides Covid-19 update

Following the latest government Covid 19 updates and a thorough overhaul of our warehouse operating procedures, we can extend the ranges we have available to our customers throughout the UK.However, the health and safety of our team remains ... 
7 May 2020

Grow some sunshine with Gardena and Lynne Lambourne

Global gardening brand GARDENA has teamed up with sustainability influencer, Lynne Lambourne, to launch a social media sunflower growing competition for families to enter this spring. The competition has been launched with the intention to get ... 
7 May 2020
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