News Archive October 2015
Black Friday bedlam 'will grow by a third'
28 October 2015
Leading global information services provider Experian is warning that while last year's Black Friday madness overwhelmed some delivery operations, this year's follow-up will be even more challenging.
Gorilla Glue seals the deal with B&Q
28 October 2015
Gorilla Glue has successfully rolled out its core range of tapes into all B&Q stores across the UK.
Grafton Group enters the Netherlands with acquisition
28 October 2015
Merchanting and DIY business Grafton Group is to acquire a major Dutch tools distributor, giving it its first foothold in the Netherlands.
Delivery company adds furniture assembly option
27 October 2015
A delivery company says its new service that offers not only to deliver but also build self-assembly goods will be an industry first.
Squire's garden centres reveal their Charities of the Year
27 October 2015
Staff at each of Squire's garden centres have chosen and named their individual Charity of the Year, 2015/2016.
QVC UK scoops four customer service awards
27 October 2015
UK home-shopping channel, QVC, took home four awards at the 2015 Top 50 Companies for Customer Service Awards
Waitrose website launch heralds new assault on cookshop market
26 October 2015
Waitrose has launched a new assault on the cookshop market with the creation of a dedicated cookshop website and the announcement that it intends to ramp up significantly its presence in the sector.
Wyevale GC acquires East Sussex rose specialist
26 October 2015
Wyevale Garden Centres (WGC) is maintaining its acquisition momentum with the announcement today that it has added Wych Cross Nurseries in Forest Row, East Sussex to its estate.
Superbike champion drives surge in Milwaukee sales
26 October 2015
The sponsor of the Milwaukee Yamaha team in the British Superbike Championship has seen a spike in Milwaukee power tool sales as a result.
Olympian Roger Black to speak at GCA conference
26 October 2015
A British Olympic silver and World Championship gold medallist has been booked for the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) conference.
Toolstation.com excels in Which? website survey
26 October 2015
Toolstation.com is one of the best online shops according to a major new Which? survey - and homebase.co.uk is one of the worst.
Andy McIndoe to leave Hillier Nurseries
23 October 2015
Hillier Nurseries & Garden Centres has today announced that managing director Andrew McIndoe is to leave the company for pastures new.
Argos warns over Christmas as HRG half-year sales dip
21 October 2015
A potential repeat of last year's Black Friday mayhem has hung a questionmark over the success of Argos' Christmas this year, parent Home Retail Group (HRG) said this morning.
Independent openings fall into decline
21 October 2015
For the first time since 2012 independent shops have gone into decline, closing more shops than they opened in the first half of this year.
Travis Perkins donates £5k to Friends of Westfield Farm
20 October 2015
The Managed Services Community Fund, in partnership with Wickes, has donated £5,000 of funding to a stand-out community project, following a competition at CIH Housing 2015.
Watco helps Shooting Star Chase at Christmas
20 October 2015
UK manufacturer of industrial strength flooring products, Watco, has provided 180 Christmas presents for children and siblings at hospice in Surrey
Bissell joins BHETA
20 October 2015
Bissell, the 139-year-old brand famous for floor care products such as vacuums and carpet sweepers, has become the latest housewares company to join the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA).
Internet retailing headlines at BHETA'S November forum
19 October 2015
Opportunities and issues relevant to internet retailing will be the subject under discussion at the British Home Enhancement Trade Association's (BHETA) next member forum.
John Lewis report reveals coming of age of the Master Shopper
19 October 2015
We are in a new age of shopping, controlled by the ultra-flexible, ultra-confident 'Master Shopper'.
New owner for prominent Lancashire hardware independent
19 October 2015
The future of a Lancashire hardware independent that has been trading for over 60 years has been assured, with a new owner taking the helm.
DLF-Trifolium changes name to adopt unified identity
19 October 2015
Grass seed supplier DLF-Trifolium has changed its name to the simpler DLF and refreshed its logo, moves which the company says reflect its heritage, unity and vision.
Bents kicks off Christmas
16 October 2015
On Wednesday, October 14 Bents Garden & Home braced itself for an influx, as thousands of people descended on the centre for its official Christmas opening.
Major brands support 2016 Exclusively shows
15 October 2015
Key electrical brands are set to return to the second outing of the Exclusively Electrical show, in 2016.
Garden centre clothing and food soar in September
14 October 2015
Garden centres saw good sales in their clothing departments and food hall/farm shops during September, according to the latest Garden Centre Association (GCA) figures.
BIRA conference to address sustainable futures for retail
14 October 2015
The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has announced that the theme of its 2016 conference will be sustainable futures for retail.
Wyevale GC hits 150 with Sidmouth Garden Centre acquisition
14 October 2015
Wyevale Garden Centres (WGC) announced today that it has acquired Sidmouth Garden Centre, describing it as "an ideal acquisition".
Big contract boosts British shower tray company
13 October 2015
British shower tray manufacturer JT, which is already outstripping average growth in its sector, has now won a big contract with a prestigious London City Island development.
Leavers Hardware to close after 129 years
13 October 2015
One of Weston-super-Mare's oldest shops is set to close its doors next Saturday, as owner Roger Leaver plans his retirement.
Wyevale Garden Centres wins award for Coffee Ground
13 October 2015
Wyevale Garden Centres' (WGC) Coffee Ground coffee shop concept has won an award in the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards.
Ladder Exchange offers discounted ladders for old
13 October 2015
Workplaces across all industries are being urged to take advantage again of an annual scheme that offers substantial discounts on new ladders part exchanged for old, damaged and unsafe ladders.
Wilko and In Kind Direct announce partnership
12 October 2015
Wilko has chosen goods re-distribution specialist In Kind Direct as one of its preferred UK-wide charities, pledging to give further products and funds.
Wyevale Garden Centres climbs in top-250 league
12 October 2015
Wyevale Garden Centres (WGC) has been listed in the annual Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 as one of the UK's 250 leading private mid-market growth companies.
Nearly half of home improvers use wrong tools
12 October 2015
Nearly half of people have attempted a home improvement job knowing they had the wrong tools for the job, while more than a quarter have damaged walls trying to put a picture up.
Craft and hobbies channel plans European expansion
9 October 2015
The UK's first crowdfunded national TV channel is to be rolled out across Europe after surpassing its month one trading target by 760%.
Stax to head up GIMA day conference
9 October 2015
Delegates at next month's GIMA day conference will hear from Stax Trade Centres managing director, David Hibbert, about how the business has adapted to meet demand in the garden side of its business.
DIY Week Awards judging panels revealed
9 October 2015
A host of experienced buyers and key representatives from across the DIY and garden industry will participate in judging the product and retailer categories for the 2016 awards.
Greenfingers launches 'A Million Moments' Appeal
8 October 2015
Greenfingers, the national charity dedicated to creating gardens and outdoor spaces for hospices, have announced a major new appeal.
Clas Ohlson opens new-format store near London
8 October 2015
The Swedish retailer has opened its first ever smaller-format store in the outskirts of London in St Albans, offering a more visible interaction between and e-commerce for the customer as part of its omni-channel strategy.
Argos launches same-day delivery ahead of Christmas
6 October 2015
Argos challenges the market by becoming the first retailer to offer same day delivery across the UK, up to 10pm, seven days a week, 364 days a year.
BHETA hails Wickes meet the buyer a success
5 October 2015
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is delighted that its latest Meet The Buyer day with brand new retail partner, Wickes, hit the mark and hopes it will become a regular event.
Petcare companies scoop honours at PetQuip Awards
5 October 2015
Twenty-two petcare companies have been honoured in the PetQuip Awards, which took place in association with the recent PATS Telford show.
Cycle chain Wiggle shuts Homebase concessions
5 October 2015
Cycle retailer Wiggle is unexpectedly closing all its Wiggle Workshop concessions in Homebase stores this month.
Fine for man who robbed hardware shop - then complained about it
5 October 2015
A court has ordered a shoplifter to pay out over £1,000 after he went to the police complaining about his treatment by the hardware shop he targeted.
Home and Garden Group adds ninth garden centre
5 October 2015
The Home and Garden Group has grown its number of garden centres to nine with the acquisition of Floralands Garden Centre in Nottingham.
John Lewis opens new £35m Birmingham store
1 October 2015
The department store chain insist the new opening last week signals its commitment to the British High Street and the importance of investing in physical shops as part of its growth strategy.
Nine branches to close in Wales as B&Q store cull continues
1 October 2015