News Archive July 2008
B&Q results send Kingfisher stock soaring
31 July 2008
City analysts have welcomed Kingfisher's latest results and the surprise sales uplift seen by B&Q, which helped the Kingfisher share price shoot up 6.5% on the London exchange (July 24).
New show secures big names
31 July 2008
Totally Secure, the new show to run alongside Totally DIY and Totally Tools in January, has already attracted some of the biggest names in the industry.
UPDATE: Floors-2-Go - no interest says administrators, no impact says supplier
31 July 2008
As previously reported on diyweek.net, the floor coverings retailer Floors-2-Go called administrators Kroll in on July 21 as it could no longer fight "the depressed housing market and the subsequent fall in spending on home improvement".
Gardman voted Supplier of the Year seventh year in a row
30 July 2008
Managing director describes accolade from GCA as "a unique achievement".
Travis Perkins plc releases interim results
30 July 2008
Revenue up 5.4% to £1.671 million for six-month period to June 30.
Henkel to cut 3,000 jobs worldwide by 2011
30 July 2008
Global cost-cutting programme expected to generate around €150 million worth of savings per year.
No decision yet on Arnold Laver Chesterfield closure
29 July 2008
An Arnold Laver spokesperson says no decisions have been made about the proposed closure of Arnold Laver's Timber World store in Chesterfield.
Woolworths Group updates market on trading
29 July 2008
Group sales for 25-week period to July down by 3.1%
HTA launches 'Leaders Conference'
28 July 2008
The Horticultural Trades Association has launched a brand new event for the garden industry designed to bring business leaders from across the sector together under one roof.
United Carpets sees sales rise
28 July 2008
United Carpets, the UK's third largest carpet and floorcovering retail chain, has posted strong preliminary figures for the year ending March 31 2008.
Wedding list business denies administration rumours
28 July 2008
Wrapit, the UK's largest dedicated gift list provider has denied that the company has entered administration.
Focus DIY announces new creative agency
28 July 2008
Focus DIY announced today that krow Communications has been appointed as the retailer's lead creative agency, replacing current firm Gratterpalm.
Profit warning from William Sinclair
28 July 2008
William Sinclair Holdings has issued a trading statement in which it has downgraded profit expectations for the 15-month period to September 2008.
Retail sales see sharpest fall on record
25 July 2008
No good news for retailers as retail sales plummet 3.9% in June, wiping out the unexpected 3.6% increase recorded in May.
New Argos catalogue lists premium housewares brands
25 July 2008
Premium housewares brands Royal Doulton and Le Creuset are among the suppliers making their debut in Argos' 70th catalogue, launched tomorrow (July 26th) and marking Argos' 35th year of trading.
Kingfisher sees sales rise
24 July 2008
Shares in Kingfisher saw an unexpected surge in price this morning after the company posted its latest figures, which show a rise in sales.
Floors-2-go enters administration
23 July 2008
Floors-2-Go, the 132-strong wood and laminate flooring retailer has entered administration with the immediate decision to close 41 stores with a loss of close to 100 jobs.
Market preview: Kingfisher
23 July 2008
Kingfisher will update the market on its second-quarter trading performance tomorrow
Argos strike suspended
23 July 2008
Argos management have put a revised pay offer to distribution workers following intensive negotiations
Two new sponsors for Britain's Best Retailer Awards
22 July 2008
DIY Week is very pleased to announce that knife and cutlery manufacturer Amefa has once again confirmed its support for the sector's biggest awards event.
Focus on profit not sales, says GIMA president
22 July 2008
Garden retailers and suppliers should stop undervaluing the goods and services they provide, and concentrate on making profits, GIMA president Peter Field said at the association's annual awards dinner in Birmingham on July 17.
DIY shed destroyed in fire
22 July 2008
An Essex branch of Wickes has been destroyed in a fire that tore through the building in the early hours of this morning.
Wyevale garden centre completely destroyed in fire
21 July 2008
Six fire crews fail to save Bedfordshire site
EXCLUSIVE: Color Expert buys Robert J Hall
18 July 2008
Parent company of HallsBeeline and Stanley Decorating team announces acquisition by German-based painting and decorating tools firm.
Solus, Scotts and Honda lead the winners in the GIMA awards
18 July 2008
Garden industry's big hitters claim top spot
Kingfisher announces two new appointments
17 July 2008
Leading home improvement retailer appoints new group finance director and chief executive, international.
Asda non-food head leaves
16 July 2008
Asda non-food trading director Peter Pritchard will leave the supermarket chain following a reshuffling of its management team by chief executive Andy Bond.
Homebase appoints new advertising agency
16 July 2008
Homebase has announced the appointment of Leo Burnett as the company's new advertising agency.
B&Q go for Gold
16 July 2008
Two B&Q employees have been selected to represent Great Britain at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Brand new show for 2009
16 July 2008
Totally Secure, a brand new show for security product retailers and locksmiths will launch in January next year alongside established shows Totally DIY and Totally Tools.
Vaughan 'on the mend' after minor stroke
15 July 2008
BHETA diy director Andy Vaughan is recovering well after suffering a minor stroke on June 30.
Glassware supply suffers as manufacturer folds
15 July 2008
UK retailers of glassware face supply shortages following the collapse into administration this month of one of Europe's biggest glassware manufacturers.
Poundland announces aggressive UK expansion
11 July 2008
Following news last week that discount supermarket chain Aldi planned to open a store a week for the foreseeable future, fixed price retailer Poundland has followed suit with an aggressive expansion plan.
UPDATE: Argos strike dates set as city downgrades HRG
11 July 2008
Dates for three strikes to be held by Argos distribution workers have been confirmed for later this month.
Analyst view: Grafton should merge with TP
10 July 2008
Irish builders merchant chain, Grafton Group, which owns Woodies DIY and Atlantic Homecare, should look at merging with Wickes parent company Travis Perkins in the UK according to one senior Dublin analyst.
Topps caught in refinance speculation
9 July 2008
Concern raised about the strength of its balance sheet
Argos' distribution workers to go on strike
8 July 2008
Severe disruption expected as 67% vote for 24-hour strikes across four distribution centres
Dunelm stresses positives after reporting first quarterly drop in two years
8 July 2008
Like-for-like sales fall 2.4% during the three months to June 28 at homewares retailer
LOFA introduces green standard for members
8 July 2008
Environmental and ethical accreditation scheme for the selection of garden furniture and barbecues
Roy Walker announced as GIMA compere
7 July 2008
The popular TV presenter and game show host, Roy Walker will provide entertainment at this year's Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) Awards held later this month.
Profits drop for Samuel Heath
4 July 2008
Manufacturer of bathroom, kitchen and architectural hardware hit by 'reluctance' of market to accept higher prices
BHF survey gives retailers a voice
4 July 2008
Get your points across via trade body's report to tell government about the realities of trading
Marshalls feels the pinch
4 July 2008
Consultations on the closure of two manufacturing plants as market conditions and inflationary pressures mount
Swedish DIY retailer to roll out in UK
3 July 2008
Clas Ohlson, one of Scandinavia's best known diy and homewares retailers is to open in the UK this year.
Focus brings new format to market
3 July 2008
Focus DIY has introduced a new format for its stores starting with a new build in the market town of Wantage, Oxfordshire.
Aldi to open a store a week
3 July 2008
Aldi has announced a massive UK expansion plan, which will see them open a store a week for "the foreseeable future".
Tradesmen in North feel the pinch
2 July 2008
Hopes that the credit crunch would lead to a boom for tradesmen as homeowners look to improve their properties have been dashed by new figures showing the North of England as the worst hit.
Obituary: Ray Fifer
2 July 2008
Ray Fifer, National Sales Manager of Henkel UK Limited passed away peacefully on Wednesday June 18 2008 after a long illness.
Leekes builds on firm foundations
2 July 2008
Leekes has opened its 'advanced' Building Centre concept in Llantrisant, Wales.
Shoots acquires third centre
2 July 2008
Shoots has announced further expansion with the acquisition of Seymours Garden Centre in Cobham, Surrey for an undisclosed sum.
DIY Week.net names Wii winner
2 July 2008
Paul Murney of Murpak Ltd takes home the must-have game