Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Research underlines the Recent Smart Home Revolution

According to recent research conducted by property specialists FastSaleHomes.co.uk, smart home devices/appliances which can be remotely managed and monitored over Wi-Fi by smartphones and tablets, have revolutionised the way people live. ... 
25 June 2019

Mill Race garden centre up for sale

Owner of Mill Race garden centre, Swallow Aquatics has announced it plans to sell the centre, as it takes away from its speciality in aquatics. The centre is located in Aldham, Colchester and is one of the largest garden centres in Essex. Managing ... 
21 June 2019

Climatic challenges delay arrival of Swifts

Wildlife experts who work to save the UK’s dwindling swift population are concerned at the late arrival of these birds, which nest here after spending the winter in Africa. Many swifts have arrived up to two weeks late, and the RSPB has received ... 
21 June 2019

Fedden USP announces AHDB SmartHort workshop centres

Neil Fedden, owner and managing consultant at Hampshire-based Lean business specialists, Fedden USP, will be leading three new Strategic SmartHort Centres that are being set-up by the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).The three ... 
21 June 2019

Dyson challenges “misleading” vax ad and wins

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint by Dyson that a claim made by Vax that its blade cordless 24v vacuum cleaner is “as powerful as a corded vacuum” was misleading and could not be substantiated.The claim appeared in a ... 
19 June 2019

Wyevale sells another 11 centres totalling 101 sales overall

Wyevale Garden Centres today announces the sale of 11 garden centres in four separate transactions to British Garden Centres, The Plant Area Limited (t/a Clandon Park Garden Centre), Coolings Garden Centres and Maidenhead Aquatics.British Garden ... 
19 June 2019

Home and gift sales lift John Lewis weekly figures

Total sales were up 3.8% last week compared with last year, with home, gift, and large electricals providing a significant boost.Overall, home sales were up 4%, with gifts, cook and dine sales up 3.2%.  Within this, gift sales were up 17%, driven by ... 
19 June 2019

Parker Building Supplies acquires Stamco

The 15-strong independent builders merchant has taken over Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company Limited (Stamco) in a deal that accelerates the firm’s growth strategy and takes its new combined turnover to £100million.The acquisition was supported by ... 
19 June 2019

Lidl announces £500m expansion plan in London

Lidl has announced it plans to expand in London, with a new HQ as well as a new store in the heart of city, with a £500m investment plan. The investment is planned for the next five years and will help the retailer expand across the capital. Adding ... 
19 June 2019

John Lewis customers can now return shopping to Waitrose delivery drivers

John Lewis customers can now return their purchases to Waitrose delivery drivers at the same time as they receive their groceries. The service means shoppers can return clothing and home purchases without leaving the comfort of their own home.... 
18 June 2019

Two Dobbies centres sold to Caulders

A Caulder & Co Limited, the owner of Caulders Garden Centres, has made two fresh acquisitions with financial backing from Clydesdale Bank. The company has acquired Dobbies Garden Centres in Kinross and Cumbernauld, growing its portfolio of ... 
18 June 2019

Capital Gardens acquires former Wyevale centre

The independent garden centre group, which bought Studley Green from Hillview last September, has now taken on Wyevale’s Sherfield on the Loddon centre, taking its estate to five centres.The garden centre, just north of Basingstoke off the A33, was ... 
17 June 2019

Dulux set to open new Painting & Decorating Academy in Leeds

The paint brand will officially open the doors to its latest Academy at Leeds College of Building on Monday, June 17.Located at the UK’s only dedicated building college, the new Academy site is part of a national drive by Dulux Academy to upskill 10,... 
14 June 2019

Furniture Village rapped for bed promotion

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint by a consumer who had rushed to make a purchase before a sale ended, only to see the price drop further. The ad watchdog said future ads must make the base of savings clear, so as not to ... 
14 June 2019

Screwfix scraps DIY Express format

Kingfisher confirms the remaining Shepton Mallett branch has now reverted to a Screwfix, as the business moves away from its trial of the dedicated DIY store format.The 5,000sq ft DIY Express store in Shepton Mallett opened on Haskins Retail Estate ... 
13 June 2019

Amazon and Morrisons to expand ‘ultra-fast same-day’ home delivery

The online giant and supermarket chain will roll the ‘Morrisons at Amazon’ store on Prime Now service out to more cities across the UK, including Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool, Sheffield and Portsmouth.The same-day online grocery home delivery ... 
13 June 2019

Real progress made with recyclable pots in garden industry

A meeting of the Nursery Working Group on June 6 demonstrated the substantial progress made by the industry towards the adoption of kerbside recyclable non-black plant pots.Growers attending the meeting reported that they have all moved away from ... 
12 June 2019

Increase in pass rates of underage knife test purchases but “still work to do”, says independent auditor

Despite major high street names being caught out on test purchases recently, new data suggests retailers are stepping up action to keep knives out of the hands of underage shoppers, with audit pass rates jumping from to 82% in 2018. However, online ... 
12 June 2019

Debenhams says challenges to CVA are “without merit”, as Mike Ashley launches legal battle

House of Fraser and Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has submitted a legal challenge to Debenhams’ company voluntary arrangement (CVA), which was approved by the department store’s creditors last month.However, Debenham’s new owners’ say the claims... 
11 June 2019

Toolstation to start stocking boilers

For the first time Toolstation has added boilers into its central heating range and will offer a complete range from Vokèra by Riello.Toolstation will carry three different combi boilers and two system boilers, along with flue kits and accessories, ... 
11 June 2019
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