Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive August 2018

Wyevale agrees sale of five garden centres 30 August 2018

Wyevale Garden Centres, Britain's biggest garden centre operator, has announced the sale of five garden centres to individual buyers. The centres are Brooks, Nailsworth, Aldridge, Keynsham and Shirley.


Glee announces new Tuesday – Thursday format for 2019 30 August 2018

Organisers behind the Glee exhibition have announced that the show will be moving one day later in the week next year.


New BHETA stats show an upturn in garden, DIY and housewares 30 August 2018

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has launched a new retail data service featuring key EPOS statistics for Q2 2018, showing value growth in DIY, housewares, small electricals and garden.


Somerset independent tool shop to close 29 August 2018

The owners of IM Tools in Burnham-on-Sea have made the decision to shut up shop for good this September after five years of trading


ERA enters into electrical wholesaling market 29 August 2018

ERA, home security specialist, is breaking into the electrical wholesale market following a new business win supplying smartware security products to electrical wholesaler, Electricbase. Electricbase branches are incorporated alongside Buildbase and ...


Amazon named as UK's most reputable retailer in new study 28 August 2018

Amazon was followed by Boots and John Lewis who came a respective second and third in the Reputation Institute’s 2018 UK Retail RepTrak research based on 5,175 individual ratings from the general public.The study found that Amazon’s reputation has ...


Toolstation opens its new distribution centre in Middleton 28 August 2018

Toolstation, one of the UK’s fastest growing suppliers to the trade, has opened its fourth distribution centre, in Middleton, Greater Manchester.The Middleton distribution centre will create over 150 new jobs in the area in the next year; comprising ...


Best Small Shops competition returns for 2018 24 August 2018

Returning for 2018, the Best Small Shops competition says it invites UK retailers to share what makes them unique, with the chance to attend the competition reception in Westminster later this year.The Best Small Shops competition, managed by the ...


Rochdale Bunnings store to reopen as Homebase 24 August 2018

Rochdale News has reported that the Bunnings store at Sandbrook Park will reopen as Homebase today.The publication said following a management buy-out earlier this year, all 24 Bunnings pilot stores will convert to the Homebase brand following ...


Only 41% feel positive doing DIY says Local Heroes survey 23 August 2018

A survey recently commissioned by Local Heroes has revealed that fewer than half of the nation feel confident enough to undertake DIY projects around the home. The new study, which explored the opinions of 2,000 UK adults, uncovered that only 41% ...


Ornamental fish theft on the rise 23 August 2018

With reports of theft of high-value fish, such as koi carp and ghost carp, on the rise from ponds across the UK, garden centres and homeowners are being advised to be vigilant and even consider microchipping the animals.According to the Metropolitan ...


Woodie's parent company reports 9% increase in revenue 22 August 2018

Grafton Group plc, parent company to DIY chain Woodies, has released its half year report for the six months ended 30 June 2018, reporting an "excellent performance by Woodie's retailing".Revenue was reported with an increase of 9% to £1.45 billion, ...


Theo Paphitis to speak at Autumn Fair 22 August 2018

The retail magnate will head up the speaking slots on the main stage at the home and gift trade show, along with Not on the High Street co-founder Holly Tucker MBE.Autumn Fair has promised a line-up of industry heavyweights at this year’s show, as ...


New regulations announced to combat oak processionary moth 21 August 2018

Defra has introduced legislation, which comes into force today, to protect oak trees against the imminent danger of introducing Thaumetopoea processionea (oak processionary moth-OPM) into the OPM Protected Zone through import and movement...


Heatwave delivers record online sales for garden sector 21 August 2018

Despite UK online retail sales slipping to their lowest year-on-year (YOY) growth in 2018 this July, with most categories seeing declines, the hot summer boosted garden sales, delivering a record 22.4% YOY increase last month.The uplift in July ...


Flagship House of Fraser store on Oxford Street saved 21 August 2018

Despite being earmarked for closure as part of a CVA this summer, House of Fraser’s outlet on Oxford Street will remain open, as new owner Sports Direct agrees its first deal since acquiring the department store chain.Sports Direct brought in ...


Jewson invests £800k in Bury St Edmunds refurb 17 August 2018

The builders’ merchant is ploughing funds back into its portfolio, with the £800,000 refurbishment of its Cratfield Road site, changing the layout and enhancing the product offering, as well as creating new jobs.The branch – a 32,000sq m building on ...


Omni-channel retail experience is key to survival of high street brands 17 August 2018

Over 52% of UK shoppers believe that retailers need to offer a more seamless experience between online and offline commerce to retain their custom.This was one of the key findings from a survey of 1,000 shoppers, conducted by e-commerce agency, ...


Outdoor dining sales continue to climb at John Lewis 17 August 2018

Despite a 7% decline in home sales for the past week, the department store chain reported an ongoing interest in outdoor cooking and entertaining.John Lewis trading director Simon Coble said home sales were down for the week ended Saturday, August ...


Johnstone’s Trade reveals 2019 colour of the year 17 August 2018

As part of its Voice of Colour Program, Johnstone’s has announced that Night Watch (PPG1145-7) – a rich, classic green – is positioned at the forefront of design trends for the year ahead.Every year, a Global Colour Team from Johnstone’s parent firm,...


Hot weather boosts Kingfisher's UK performance 16 August 2018

Consistent hot weather this summer has helped B&Q and Screwfix deliver what Kingfisher described as “improved performances”, with like-for-like (LFL) sales up 4.2% in Q2 “within the context of a continuing weak UK consumer backdrop”.The ...


Sunshine sends garden centre sales soaring 15 August 2018

Sales at garden centres across the country continued to soar in June (2018) thanks to the sunny weather according to the Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade report.Outdoor plant sales were up 26.94% compared to the same month last year (...


Woodies DIY parent to raise €160million in private US placement 14 August 2018

The Grafton Group plc, which has merchanting and DIY operations in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, revealed to refinance its debt by raising funds using 10 and 12-year bonds with 2.5% yield.The group has agreed to raise €160 million (£144 ...


Homebase announces CVA proposal and will cut thousands of jobs 14 August 2018

Homebase has today announced the next phase of its restructuring plan, the company is to launch a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) and is seeking approval from creditors on a proposed plan to reduce its cost base in the UK and the Republic of ...


Akzo Nobel acquires Trade Paints 14 August 2018

Akzo Nobel has announced it has purchased the business and assets of Surrey-based Trade Paints. With three stores in Epsom, East Molesey and Sutton Akzo Nobel takes its total number of Dulux Decorator Centres in the UK to 209.“These stores will make ...


Heatwave stunts high street footfall growth in July 10 August 2018

Town centres measured a 0.3% uplift in footfall in July; the third consecutive month of growth, although a decline across UK retail parks showed consumers lacked the energy for longer shopping trips in the hot weather.Growth on the high street this ...


House of Fraser saved by Sports Direct in £90m deal 10 August 2018

The department store chain was acquired by Sports Direct after it appointed administrators this morning and faced ending 169 years of trading.Mere hours after House of Fraser revealed it had called in Ernst & Young when “discussions with ...


A third of renters won’t buy but still splash out on home improvement 10 August 2018

A recent study reveals people are happy to rent long-term and have no plans to purchase a property in the future but still invest in revamping their home, with some spending over £30,000 in the past year.With more people renting in the UK than ever ...


Brits embrace smart home technology 9 August 2018

Time-poor consumers, who crave convenience and speed, are opting for smart technology in their homes, with almost half of Brits now owning at least one smart home product, and video doorbells/security systems proving the most popular choices ...


Homebase to close 60 stores and axe over 1,000 jobs 8 August 2018

Sky News has reported that the DIY chain Homebase, which was sold for £1 by previous Australian owners Wesfarmers, will close around a quarter of its 249 stores.The news comes just one month after the chain was bought by Hilco Capital, where under ...


Hot weather sees in-store seasonal sales drop off 8 August 2018

Despite some initial spikes early on in the summer season, sales of non-food goods in store struggled in July, as the heat kept shoppers away from the high street.There were still strong sales of fans and cooling equipment during the period but ...


Home and Garden searches increase by 29% 8 August 2018

The BRC – Google Online Retail Monitor for Q2 2018 reported a positive outcome for year on year growth of mobile searches for home and garden products.The key findings were:Overseas mobile searches for UK brands grew by 17% YoY in Q2 2018. This is ...


Crown Paints introduces 100% recycled plastic containers 7 August 2018

Crown Paints has announced it is set to launch paint containers made from 100% recycled plastic – making it the first paint manufacturer in the UK to do so.The plastic 2.5 litre and 5 litre containers, which will be available across Crown Paints’ ...


Bradfords Building Supplies acquires Solo 7 August 2018

The independent builders merchant, today, announced the acquisition of Archmartin Ltd, trading as Solo Building Supplies. The deal will see Solo Building Supplies’ site in Penzance, South West Cornwall join Bradfords’ estate of 42 outlets...


Online spend reaches highest rate in 2018 3 August 2018

Shoppers are spending more online than ever this year, as internet retail records a 16.8% year-on-year growth during H1, with garden one of the top-performing categories.The figure is the highest growth rate for the trading period in eight years and ...


Pets at Home delivers good start to the year 3 August 2018

The pet products chain said it was “on track” to deliver its plan for the year, as it posted sales growth of nearly 7% forQ1, with like-for-like (LFL) sales up 5.3%, boosted by investment in digital initiatives.Group revenue, including Pets at Home’...


Retail salaries hit a five-month high 3 August 2018

According to the latest findings from the UK’s independent job board, CV-Library, average salaries for retail roles has hit a five-month high in July, and pay has increased by 1.1% month-on-month.The job board explored data taken from its own site ...


Squire’s Garden Centres purchases Frensham Garden Centre 2 August 2018

D. J. Squire & Co. Ltd (Squire’s) and Wheelhouse Warehousing Ltd has announced the purchase of Frensham Garden Centre by Squire’s from Wheelhouse. The purchase was completed on 1 August 2018.Under the terms of the agreement, which was signed in ...


Two more DIY names join BHETA 1 August 2018

LadderLimb and Fix-A-Floor are the latest DIY companies to sign up as members of the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA).One of this year’s DIY Week Award finalists, Fix-A-Floor repair adhesive is an extra-strength bonding adhesive ...


Squire’s opens new café at Washington centre 1 August 2018

Family-run chain Squire’s Garden Centres has announced the latest in a series of revamps across its portfolio, with the opening of a stylish new Café Bar at its branch in Washington, West Sussex.The new-look eatery features beautiful new furniture ...


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