Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive June 2017

BREAKING NEWS: Bunnings to double number of pilot stores before year end 29 June 2017

Bunnings UK and Ireland today announced it is to expand its pilot programme, and will have 20 stores by the end of 2017 – twice as many as previously expected. We understand that not all the new pilot stores will occupy former Homebase sites, with ...


Bunnings opens biggest store today 29 June 2017

Australian DIY chain opens its fourth, and largest, Bunnings Warehouse in the UK and Ireland today in Milton Keynes.The new 90,000sq ft store, which occupies the site of the former Homebase on Snowdon Drive, continues Bunnings’ momentum of ...


GROHE wins major European contract with Kingfisher 28 June 2017

GROHE has won a kitchen tap contract with Kingfisher. The leading European home improvement retailer will feature six of GROHE’s kitchen products in over 800 UK stores and across seven European countries.“The contract provides further ...


Debenhams issues profit warning due to ‘volatile market’ 27 June 2017

The UK department store - which boasts a strong offer of housewares, homewares, electricals, and outdoor living and garden goods – has warned investors that its pre-tax profit could be lower than anticipated if the current “market volatility” ...


Strategic investments and competitive headwinds dent Carpetright profits 27 June 2017

The flooring specialist revealed that its statutory pre-tax profit slumped 93% to £900,000 in the 52 weeks ended April 29 but remains upbeat, as figures were hit by the impact of costs associated with the transformation of the business and its store ...


Henkel invests in national TV campaign for UniBond Re-New 27 June 2017

The global adhesives and sealants giant has invested £1 million in a new TV ad campaign to raise awareness of the DIY Week Award-winning Re-New product that will run on major channels in prime slots for three weeks.Launched on June 21, the 10-second ad, ...


Travis Perkins appoints chairman designate 27 June 2017

Travis Perkins plc has today announced the appointment of Stuart Chambers as chairman with effect from November 2017.Mr Chambers will join the board from 1 September 2017 as a non-executive director and chairman designate and succeed Robert Walker ...


Last chance to book for GIMA Awards 27 June 2017

There are just a few weeks to go until the winners of the 2017 GIMA Awards are crowned at the annual event and places are selling out fast - so don’t miss your chance to attend.The Garden Industry Manufacturers Association has announced another ...


Lighting manufacturer fined £2.7m in price-fixing probe 26 June 2017

UK lighting manufacturer, the National Lighting Company(NLC) – which operates Poole Lighting Ltd and its Endon and Saxby brands - has been issued with a hefty fine and other firms are receiving official warnings in a major price fixing probe into ...


Brexit not a concern, say tradesmen 26 June 2017

A survey comissioned by Tradepoint revealed that the majority working in the trade don’t view Brexit as a major threat and don’t expect it to have an impact on the profit or loss of their business. In fact, TradePoint said the survey with One Poll ...


Brand View and Insight Retail Group unveil partnership 26 June 2017

Market intelligence firm Insight DIY – the brand behind the consumer-facing Kitchen and Bathroom Compare websites – has announced a new strategic partnership with Brand View, which specialises in providing price, promotion, product content and ...


B&M opens new store in Ipswich 26 June 2017

More than 90 new jobs have been created for people in Ipswich by the new B&M store which opened at Anglia Retail Park, bosses have said.Deputy mayor Roger Fern along with volunteers from Lighthouse Women’s Aid cut the ribbon at the shop when it ...


Bookings up at GCA Plant Area Forum at Ball Colegrave 26 June 2017

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) is hosting its second annual Plant Area Forum for plant area managers and plant buyers at Ball Colegrave July 20, 2017. The event will once again be facilitated by GCA inspector Roger Crookes who is the ...


Amazon Prime Day "is a huge opportunity" for third-party retailers 22 June 2017

Figures reveal that the annual online one-day shopping event can offer a boost for third-party sellers on Amazon and other e-commerce retailers.The third annual Amazon Prime Day - a one-day shopping event available exclusively to Amazon Prime ...


Retailers will be encouraged by the Queen’s speech, says BRC 22 June 2017

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) believes retailers will be heartened that the Government is seeking to “reach out” to UK businesses.A host of proposed new laws designed to prepare the UK for a "smooth and orderly" departure from the European ...


Heatwave gives Argos’ seasonal sales a boost 22 June 2017

Catalogue and digital retailer sees demand for fans surge due to hot weather this week and sales of outdoor items up by more than 100%Argos said it has been one of its busiest weeks for fans, selling 92,000 units on Tuesday, June 20 alone. On the ...


Exclusively shows boast top-quality visitors 22 June 2017

The ‘invited buyer’ format of Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical has delivered a strong visitor profile for exhibitors once again, with buyers from major high-street names and online giants, as well as international retailers ...


Kingfisher says goodbye to another director 21 June 2017

B&Q parent confirms chief sales and retail operations officer John-Paul Constant will step down after less than a year in the role.Kingfisher today confirmed Mr Constant’s departure but said it would not comment any further on the subject.Mr ...


BHETA in running for TAF awards 21 June 2017

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association has been shortlisted in two categories in the Trade Association Forum (TAF) Best Practice AwardsShortlisted for Event of the Year is BHETA’s successful Bunnings Forum, which took place November and saw ...


Contactless spend soars 21 June 2017

The number of card payments grew strongly in March, with contactless transactions pushing ahead and now accounting for 32% of total purchases, while the total number of contactless payments made over the past year increased by 160%.New figures ...


Wolseley reports weak UK trading 20 June 2017

Wolseley Group provided an interim statement this morning on their performance during Q3, the three months to 30 April 2017.?“Revenue growth in the quarter was good with US residential and commercial markets growing well and industrial markets ...


Dobbies committed to Angus Gateway 20 June 2017

Bosses at garden centre chain Dobbies are “fully committed” to Angus Gateway retail centre and submitted a fresh planning application to expand the site.Permission was granted to build additional retail units and expand car parking at the retail ...


Trouble in Poundland documentary to air tomorrow 19 June 2017

A behind-the-scenes documentary about Britain’s budget retailer is set to hit our screens tomorrow evening, showing how its new management team battle to offer products cheaper than high-street rivals.The ITV documentary shows a year in the life of ...


Argos raises £2 million for Macmillan 19 June 2017

Catalogue retail chain Argos has raised millions of pounds over the past two years for its charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support, thanks to a host of fundraising activities involving staff and customers.Macmillan won the vote to become the ...


Thermos acquires BHL Group 16 June 2017

Housewares manufacturer Thermos has bought Brands Home & Leisure (BHL) Group – the company that has been its distribution partner in the UK since 2001.Based in Leeds, BHL Group distributes to the UK market through a range of retail channels on ...


Global DIY Summit predicts growth for HI sector 15 June 2017

Speakers at the fifth Global DIY Summit are positive about the outlook for the global market, whilst nearly a quarter of delegates estimate growth of more than 10% for their business this year.


DFS issues profit warning due to “weak market” 15 June 2017

Furniture retailer reports declines in footfall and customer orders hit sales in the second half.In a trading update today, DFS said that, despite highlighting an expectation for a “softer market environment” for the second half of the financial ...


B&Q retail director makes move to Bunnings 15 June 2017

Damian McGloughlin has resigned from his role as B&Q UK & Ireland retail director and will take up the role of Bunnings COO when he has finished gardening leave


Norcros enjoys eighth consecutive year of growth 15 June 2017

Revenues have risen past £270m at Norcros giving the kitchen and bathroom accessories group its eighth consecutive year of growth.The group has posted revenues of £271.2m for the year to 31 March 2017, up by 15% year on year. Underlying pre-tax ...


Consumer spending down falls for first time in four years 14 June 2017

New data has signalled a renewed fall in consumer spending during May, with expenditure down -0.8% on the year.The decline followed a +0.3% increase in April, and was the first fall in household expenditure recorded since September 2013.The figures ...


FPB sounds a 'mayday’ distress signal for businesses 12 June 2017

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is calling on the UK’s politicians to recognise that the economic strength of the UK is reliant on the country’s five million small businesses.FPB chief executive Ian Cass commented: “‘The voice of small business ...


Poundland plans multi-price point range 12 June 2017

The discount retailer has announced a new strategy to expand its product offering and also start stocking items above the £1 price tag by introducing a multi-price point range across its UK stores. Steinhoff International, which acquired Poundland ...


Bunnings opens Hemel Hempstead store 12 June 2017

Australian group Wesfarmers opened its third Bunnings Warehouse store in the UK and Ireland on Friday, converting the former Homebase site at Apsley Mills Retail ParkThe Hemel Hempstead store occupies over 64,000sq ft and stocks more than 27,000 ...


Topps Tiles opens new store in Shipley 7 June 2017

Leading tile specialist Topps Tiles has announced the opening of a new store in Shipley following an investment of more than £160,000. The 4,674 sq ft store on Baildon Bridge Retail Park will retail the company’s extensive collections of wall and ...


Bunnings names locations for sixth, seventh and eighth UK stores 7 June 2017

Thanet (Broadstairs), Sittingbourne and Basildon (Vange) have been confirmed by Bunnings as the locations of the sixth, seventh and eighth UK pilot stores.


DIY on the rise at Spring Fair 6 June 2017

The DIY and home improvement sector at the 2018 Spring Fair is going to be bigger and better than its debut outing earlier this year.


Garden centres report furniture sales increase 6 June 2017

Customers at garden centres across the country prepared themselves for the good weather by buying furniture and barbecues for their outside spaces according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade results.Furniture and barbecue ...


Retailers suffer 30% more online crime 6 June 2017

Online crime against retailers rose by 30% over the last year, according to a new crime survey published by the Home Office, raising concerns about the sector's preparedness for new data protection rules.


Hillmount to open third garden centre 5 June 2017

Irish garden centre business Hillmount is to open its third centre later this year, a £1m development in Co. Down which will create 25 local jobs.


Drill thieves repeatedly target B&Q 5 June 2017

Three drill thieves targetted B&Q Brierfield on multiple occasions, stealing five Bosch drills and other tools worth around £500 on two occasions, and attempting to steal another drill worth £115 on a third.


PPG withdraws offer for Akzo Nobel 1 June 2017

PPG announced that it has walked away from its bid to take over Dulux parent Akzo Nobel, despite discussing a proposed price increase and sweeteners to the deal.The US paint firm today announced that it has withdrawn its proposal to combine with ...


Space still available in RDT Karting Challenge 1 June 2017

The Rainy Day Trust is offering a last-minute deal for a team to take part in its annual Karting Challenge - don't miss our chance to be part of this great event.Due to a couple of last-minute drop-outs at the event, the Rainy Day Trust (RDT) is ...


Brabantia acquires Dutchdeluxes 1 June 2017

The parent company of International Design brand Brabantia, which has a base in Nailsea UK, has announced the takeover of the Eindhoven-based company Dutchdeluxes.The Brabantia parent firm views the takeover as an opportunity to emphasise its ...


E.P. Barrus to expand to 16-acre site 1 June 2017

After a seven-year search, the lawn and garden distributor has found a new site and will be expanding operations to a new location within Bicester.


British adults have “poor gardening knowledge” according to study 1 June 2017

Britons lack “basic gardening knowledge”, according to new research, with 49% unable to identify secateurs and 37% unfamiliar with a trowel.


Royal Warrant DIY shop to close after 50 years 1 June 2017

Mahjacks of Dedworth, Windsor – which received the Royal Warrant of Appointment as a Tradesman to the Queen after supplying goods to the royal household – is closing down after 50 years of trading.


*

Latest reader comments

re: Latest update on Green Homes Grant and implications for homeowners and landlords

John Hart
After applying for a green homes how long will it take for a decision? thanks...

re: SX Rainproof Exterior Caulk

Wally
I need the exterior sx rain resistant caulk! Can't get it anywhere so please help! How can I order it? Need it yesterday...

re: BCT can replicate any material in a ceramic tile

Christina Tiritanou
Not sure if you can help as I require a tile which has the measurements of 6”x 6”? Thank you....

re: Latest update on Green Homes Grant and implications for homeowners and landlords

colin thompson
SarahVery clear and helpful information.Thanks...

Most read stories