Conventional wisdom has it that when you buy a business, you conduct a SWOT analysis. You find out what the business’s strengths and weaknesses are, and you set about building on the former and eliminating the latter. It’s not terribly... Read entry

Sitting in the coffee shop of a small independent garden centre in the midlands, I found myself counting tables and chairs. Sad, I know, but bear with me – there’s a point to be made here. As a generalisation, garden centre coffee shop customers... Read entry

Industry consultant Colin Petty offers his thoughts on Bunnings' plans for Homebase... Read entry

British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), DIY and garden sector director Peter Stone discusses the key to successful export opportunities for suppliers.... Read entry

British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), DIY sector director Peter Stone discusses the hotly-debated issue of bricks vs clicks and what opportunities are available for brands to explore... Read entry

Ensure you grab every chance to boost those sales, urges Garden Centre Association chief executive Iain Wylie.... Read entry

At a time when around 10% of retail sales are now made online, the world of retailing has irreversibly moved on, but many retailers continue to be frustrated by the outmoded taxes and regulations from a bygone era.... Read entry

Bill sets out his stall in the ongoing business rates debate... Read entry

B&Q's like-for-like sales in UK and Ireland in the first 23 weeks of the current year were down 5.6% compared with the same period the previous year. On the face of it, that's a pretty unimpressive figure. ... Read entry

Council tenants being offered free DIY courses at B&Q - and being given £400 vouchers to spend at B&Q as well. What's your take on that?... Read entry