Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Kerstin Kamasa 1932 – 2023

It is with great regret and sympathy we announce the passing of Kerstin Kamasa, a woman who was an Iconic and Inspirational woman who for many years made significant in-roads into the Tool and DIY Industry with her own brand Kamasa Tools, and helped ... 
11 January 2023

Wickes opens new store in Bolton

Home Improvement retailer Wickes has opened a new store as part of the business’ ongoing investment into its store estate. The Lancashire store located in Trinity Street has been designed in line with the Wickes distinctive service model. There are ... 
10 January 2023

Covers acquires Wingham Timber

Covers Timber and Builders Merchant has announced the acquisition of Wingham Timber and Mouldings, based near Canterbury in Kent. Wingham Timber is an independent timber merchant supplying construction grade timber, sheet materials, internal ... 
10 January 2023

Retailer shares secrets of success as it is crowned UK’s favourite local business

Isle of Wight home, DIY and garden retailer W. Hurst & Son has taken the top spot in a nationwide search to find the UK’s favourite local business, and it has put its success down to one thing. A commitment to traditional values has seen a ... 
5 January 2023

Footfall drops by -27.7% post-Christmas, but retailers benefit from rises in footfall each day from Boxing Day to 29th December

According to retail experts Springboard, footfall across UK retail destinations last week was -27.7% lower than in the week leading up to Christmas Day, and just +7.2% higher than in the same week in 2021. The relatively modest uplift from last year ... 
3 January 2023

How to reuse Christmas trees

Brits are being offered advice on how to reuse and make the most of their real Christmas tree after holidays are over. Experts at Gardening Express have looked into the creative and eco-friendly ways that dried out Christmas trees can be put to good ... 
31 December 2022

UK footfall climbs by +38.8% on Boxing Day versus 2021, with high streets (+44.1%) and Central London (+66%) coming out tops 

According to retail experts Springboard, the full day results for Boxing Day reveal footfall was +38.8% higher than in 2021. With an increase of +50.1% up to 12pm, the overall result reveals how much better footfall was on Boxing Day morning this ... 
30 December 2022

Consumer survey highlights effects of cost of living crisis on home improvements

Tradespeople could see a downturn in custom as more homeowners expect to undertake DIY due to the soaring cost of living, according to research by flooring retailer Factory Direct Flooring (FDF). However, results also bring to the fore other ... 
21 December 2022

DIY changes that increase property value

Adding value to a property doesn’t have to mean getting a brand-new kitchen fitted or having expensive new windows installed. There are many changes owners can undertake themselves to add value, as even small things like outdated kitchen tiles can ... 
19 December 2022

Home is where the heart is this Christmas

Research reveals that ‘quality time’ and ‘home-cooked food’ are more important to the nation than toys and tech this festive period. The big day is fast approaching, and with pressures mounting to have ‘the best Christmas ever’ following the last ... 
17 December 2022

BHETA to host live forum with Toolstation

BHETA, the leading trade association for DIY, Housewares & Small Electrical companies, is to hold a live forum at its Birmingham offices in Vyse Street on 1 February with speakers from Toolstation topping the bill. Rupert Nichols, Commercial ... 
16 December 2022

Yorkshire Garden Centre group announces plans for Stephen H Smith's Harden site

The directors at a Bradford headquartered Garden Centre Group have announced plans for one of the sites that it acquired earlier in the year.Mark Farnsworth, Sharon McNair and Sarah Ritchie Some of the YGC Group team at Harden.YGC Group, the parent ... 
10 December 2022

Red gorilla joins BHETA

Famous for Tubtrugs, the first two-handled, super-strong flexible tub, Red Gorilla has joined BHETA. Founded over 35 years ago, to produce the ultra-flexible ‘use it for everything’ product, the company has gone on to supply the garden, DIY, ... 
9 December 2022

New look for Glee – the international festival of garden, leisure & pet

Glee, the international ‘festival’ for the garden, leisure and pet sector, has had a makeover with new branding revealed ahead of the 2023 event (27th – 29th June, NEC Birmingham). Having undergone a renaissance in a post-pandemic world, Glee ... 
7 December 2022

Foundations for the latest flooring fashions

Paul Hambidge, founder of Factory Direct Flooring, a supplier of wood, vinyl, including LVT, and laminate flooring to retailers, commercial sites and residential customers throughout the UK, discusses the latest trends, types and innovations in ... 
6 December 2022

Five mix & match flooring trends

Floors are shaking off their shrinking violet reputation and playing a lead part in setting the tone in home design. We look at five inspirational mix and match trends that cleverly use contrasting colours and finishes for that ultimate signature ... 
6 December 2022

Builders Merchants asking DIYers and Builders to get involved with World Cup footie Challenge for Teen Charity

Parker Building Supplies, Chandlers Building Supplies, Fairalls and Stamco Hoppings have launched a branch-wide ‘World Cup’ penalty shoot-out challenge for charity.Some of the Parker Building Supplies team at the Eastbourne branch - L to R: John ... 
6 December 2022

B&Q Enfield moves to new location in time for Christmas 

B&Q has announced it will be moving to a new unit on the Enfield Retail Park, Great Cambridge Road, Enfield EN1 3RW at 8am on Friday 9th December, just in time for the festive season. B&Q will now trade from the former Toys R Us unit on the ... 
6 December 2022

Jewson launches quick guide to building regulations for trade 

National builders merchant Jewson has launched a handy reference guide to help the trade navigate recent changes to building regulations. The changes apply to most new builds, renovations and extensions, including domestic, commercial and industrial ... 
5 December 2022

Lakeland to speak at BHETA webinar

BHETA is to hold another of its popular retailer networking webinars, this time with Lakeland. The event will take place on Thursday 19th January at 10:30am and five members of the buying team will be involved. Philippa Simons, Head of Buying, will ... 
5 December 2022
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