BHETA members were given a unique opportunity to meet buyers from Homebase last week, in a special 'meet the buyers' day organised as part of BHETA's new 'Drive for Growth' initiative.
60 supplier companies held meetings with 31 Homebase buyers across 16 different categories in a 'speed-dating' event, with just 15 minutes to pitch their products.

And the day was a great success for both suppliers and buyers, with Homebase saying they'd like to do more events with BHETA in the future.

Speaking to DIY Week on the day, home electricals and climate control buyer Lara Cameron said: "Everyone's really excited about this event - there's a nice atmosphere in the room and everyone wants to make it work. It's people I've never heard even heard of and wouldn't normally get to meet."

A follow-up meeting is now planned between BHETA and Homebase to discuss feedback from the event and ways to take the idea forward in future.

For more on this story, see the September 9 issue of DIY Week, out this Friday.