Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive August 2020

Garland opens new warehouse as sales increase £1m so far this season 28 August 2020

The opening of a new purpose-built warehouse by Garland /Worth Gardening has proved to be timely as the company is experiencing unprecedented growth in sales for its extensive range of garden care products. Garland/Worth Gardening’s new warehouse ...


BHETA joins lobby on future for safety marking in housewares and DIY 28 August 2020

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has leant its weight to a forceful collective of trade associations lobbying Government on the future of the CE safety mark after BREXIT. The CE mark itself which is used by suppliers across ...


AkzoNobel supporting inspirational artist Sacha Jafri’s world record attempt 28 August 2020

Celebrated artist Sacha Jafri is attempting to create the largest painting ever created on canvas – and he’s using AkzoNobel’s Dulux products to paint his way into the record books. Jafri’s Humanity Inspired project – which aims to raise $30 ...


HJ Hall unveils all-new outdoor range at virtual GLEE Trade Show 27 August 2020

HJ Hall will be launching its latest range of outdoor socks at this year’s Glee Trade Show. For the third year running, HJ Hall will be exhibiting its newest products at the UK’s greatest garden and outdoor living trade exhibition, held virtually ...


Schneider Electric partners with National Home Improvement Month 26 August 2020

Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has partnered with Bheta for National Home Improvement Month (NHIM) to encourage the UK to improve their homes this September. NHIM is the UK's largest ...


Kingfisher establishes four new Responsible Business priorities 25 August 2020

Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, has launched its four new Responsible Business priorities.Following the announcement of Kingfisher’s new group strategy in June – Powered by Kingfisher – the new Responsible Business plan ...


BiKBBI Becomes Official Partner of the BKBA Global Connect Alliance Programme 24 August 2020

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has partnered with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the North American authority on all things residential kitchen and bath, on its NKBA Global Connect ...


HTA AGM 2020 Goes Virtual  24 August 2020

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) will take place ‘virtually’ this year. The online meeting will be conducted via webinar on 16 September 2020 at 2pm. The HTA AGM provides full members of the ...


Nearly 300 house fires a week caused by home appliances 21 August 2020

Almost 300 house fires are started every week by home appliances, according to the latest Home Office figures* analysed by appliances insurer Prominence Support.Incident data from the Fire and Rescue Services (FRS), reveals there were just under 15,...


New home staging app launched by lemon and lime interiors 20 August 2020

Leading home staging company Lemon and Lime Interiors has announced the launch of its brand-new app – Stageflow - which offers estate agents, property developers and home stagers the ability to evidence the benefits and return on investment when ...


Revealed: Brits looking to spend £324,701 on a post-lockdown home in the next year 19 August 2020

Want to add value to your buy-to-let home for the post-lockdown boom? According to a new survey by CIA Landlord of 1,000 Brits looking to buy or rent in the next year, these are the most important home features to highlight. With Brits across the ...


Homebase partners with Bosch and NEFF to strengthen its complete kitchen offering 19 August 2020

Homebase is strengthening its kitchen offering with the launch of Bosch and NEFF appliances, joining other leading brands such as Hotpoint, Smeg and Indesit, to bring customers even more choice when it comes to creating the latest home trends.The ...


Lawn seed sales up five-fold this summer, reports Johnsons Lawn Seed 18 August 2020

Lawn seed sales went through the roof in June and July, extending the traditional springtime peak in lawncare category sales well into the summer, according to the latest figures released by Johnsons Lawn Seed, the UK’s oldest grass seed supplier. ...


Heatwave reduces high street footfall but tourist hotspots are boosted as Brits enjoy summer of ‘staycation’ 18 August 2020

Latest data from retail experts Springboard reveals that footfall across UK retail destinations rose marginally last week, by +0.8% from the week before, a far more muted result than the rise of +3.8% in the previous week. Despite the hot weather - ...


Green-fingered Brits have spent over £100 each on gardening during lockdown 17 August 2020

Green-fingered Brits have spent an average of £105* each sprucing up their gardens with a makeover since the start of lockdown, equating to £3.7** billion being spent across the UK, according to new research from American Express. The most popular ...


DIY SOS BBC Children in Need special comes to Caswell Bay, Swansea 17 August 2020

DIY SOS, BBC One’s popular property renovation show, will head to Caswell Bay in September to take on a one of a kind build that will benefit a local charity, Surfability UK. DIY SOS: The Big Build BBC Children in Need Special (working title) will ...


New generation of DIYers born in lockdown 14 August 2020

Lockdown has seen the emergence of a new, younger generation of people picking up a paint brush, screwdriver or hammer for the first time to tackle DIY projects, a new study by marketing agency Democracy has discovered. Since Covid-19 restrictions ...


Keylite Roof Windows triumphs at the BMJ Industry Awards 12 August 2020

For the third year running UK manufacturer, Keylite Roof Windows (Keylite) has scooped the coveted ‘Best Roofing Manufacturer’ award at the 2020 BMJ Industry Awards.The BMJ Industry Awards is established as a key event for those working in the ...


New export deal for What More UK 11 August 2020

East Lancashire housewares manufacturer What More UK has announced it's adding Costa Rica to its growing list of export destinations, bringing the total up to 74 countries.Left to right, Michael Blakey, Karren Murray, Nathan Plummer, Cheryl Cregg, ...


Taking the risk out of buying a greenhouse 10 August 2020

Anyone considering buying a greenhouse is well advised to download a free PDF from one of the country’s leading glasshouse designers and manufacturers that gives 12 key points to consider before splashing the cash.Linda Lane, MD of Griffin ...


Häfele launches support programme for kbb sector 10 August 2020

Häfele UK has launched a new dedicated package of industry leading support for kbb retailers and manufacturers, in response to feedback from customers who shared their industry concerns as a result of Covid-19. Available to existing and new ...


GCA members discuss challenges of re-opening restaurants and cafés 10 August 2020

Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) recently (August 2020) took part in a virtual forum to discuss the challenges they faced with the re-opening of restaurants and cafés.The forum was facilitated by Chris Brown of Turpin Smale Catering ...


Bradford Garden Centre marks five years of new ownership with further changes 10 August 2020

With the latest phase of its expansion progressing well, the team at a Bradford garden centre have announced further plans to enhance the visitor experience.In addition to providing new facilities for the 200 strong team and extending the range of ...


Latest update on Green Homes Grant and implications for homeowners and landlords 10 August 2020

Last month Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a circa £3 billion green investment plan, including the Green Homes Grant, as part of his Summer Economic Update. The UK Government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has now ...


CESRB, in association with ceda and FEA, issues advice on commercial kitchen wiring following engineer's tragic death 10 August 2020

Associations push for urgent amendments to wiring regulations in commercial kitchens.Following the tragic death of an engineer working on a commercial kitchen appliance, FEA, in association with CESRB (Catering Engineers Standards and Registration ...


Hyve Group launches three virtual forums in September 2020 7 August 2020

Hyve Group is pleased to announce Autumn Fair @ Home, Glee Gathering and Fashion Together (comprising Pure, Pure Origin, Moda and Scoop), three completely virtual forums happening this September. These forums will provide exhibitors and attendees ...


Vitrex and Homelux expand into Wickes 7 August 2020

Vitrex and Homelux expand into Wickes DIY enthusiasts will now be able to find tiling and home improvement brands Vitrex and Homelux in Wickes stores across the UK. Tiling accessories provider Homelux offers customers both economy and trend-led tile ...


Hyve Group announces changes to its 2020 show calendar - Glee and Pawexpo 2020 will offer a virtual forum this September 6 August 2020

Hyve, the organiser of Glee, the UK’s leading garden and outdoor living trade show, and the co-located Pawexpo, the premium pet trade show that cares about pets, people and the industry, has announced changes to the scheduled event in 2020. As a ...


BEAMA hopes that the Green Homes Grant scheme can be the start of long-term plan for high quality green refurbishment of UK homes 6 August 2020

The recent announcement by the government of the Green Homes Grant Scheme is a welcome boost to manufacturers whose products are included, given the current economic uncertainty.BEAMA hopes that this approach can now be used as a basis for a longer-...


HMG Paints have island of Jersey covered with new distributor - Decorare Jersey 5 August 2020

Newly launched Painting & Decorating Merchant, Decorare Jersey are supplying painters and decorators across the island of Jersey with HMG Paints decorative coatings range. From interior coatings to fence and shed paints, they have it covered.“...


Quality assurance at heart of new £2 billion green homes grants 5 August 2020

Tradespeople are urged to sign up for TrustMark accreditation as part of the new Green Homes Grant scheme. Builders, plumbers, and other tradespeople across England will need a government-backed seal of approval to provide their services as part of ...


New plants in HTA Virtual Awards added to Joy of Plants’ library  3 August 2020

A plant information company has updated its library with photos and descriptions of the entrants from The Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA) Virtual New Plant Awards. Every year Joy of Plants assists in validating entries for the awards and it ...


John Lewis offers its progressive ‘Better Jobs Programme’ to all UK suppliers 3 August 2020

Today, John Lewis & Partners has announced that, following a successful trial, it is rolling out a new progressive supplier engagement programme called ‘Better Jobs’ to all of its 120 UK manufacturing suppliers. The purpose of the 'Better Jobs ...


DIY disasters - experts reveal the DIY jobs that can knock TENS OF THOUSANDS off a property's value 3 August 2020

Converting a bedroom could reduce your market value by 20% (nearly £50,000 off the average house). With the UK property market starting to pick up, many Brits will be sprucing up their homes ahead of potential sales. But property experts are warning ...


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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...

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