News Archive - October 2007

Woolworths undeterred by dip in like-for-like sales 31-Oct-2007

Businesses are in good shape, says Trevor Bish-Jones.

Cunningtons Tools launches 'The Big Tool Shop' 30-Oct-2007

Corby-based Cunningtons Tools has widened its customer base by launching an online tool shop promising delivery of items dire...

Tesco cancels dividend to fund future growth at Dobbies 30-Oct-2007

Supermarket giant outlines plans to raise growth, grow internet business, and acquire stores 'when appropriate'.

American Tool founder Petersen dies 30-Oct-2007

Allen Petersen, founder of American Tool Companies Inc, died on Sunday October 28 at the age of 66.

Plasti-kote reports growth in market share 29-Oct-2007

Heavy brand investment by Plasti-kote has driven growth in the spray paint market as GfK figures for September show that the ...

Early Christmas opening paying off for garden centres 28-Oct-2007

Sales boost indicates the Christmas period will be robust.

Thompson & Morgan buys Rainbow Flowers 26-Oct-2007

Horticultural supplier Thompson & Morgan has acquired Guernsey-based Rainbow Flowers.

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Alltools launches online tool shop 26-Oct-2007

Professional customer base accustomed to purchasing tools on the web, says sales and marketing director.

New national sales manager for Kelkay 26-Oct-2007

Former Town & Country manager appointed to strengthen brand.

Wickes in franchise deal to extend brand in Ireland 26-Oct-2007

Wickes has entered a franchise agreement with Moritz Home Improvements under which Moritz will develop home improvement stor...

Garden Centre TV hits the ground running 25-Oct-2007

Initial reaction to launch 'positive', says founder Jim Greenfield

Hillier garden centre manager completes South Downs course 25-Oct-2007

Stuart Blight, garden centre manager at Hillier Hemel Hempstead cycled 60 miles for Macmillan Cancer Support in four and a ha...

Argos the shining star at Home Retail Group 24-Oct-2007

First half results show Argos generating 50~ profit growth; Homebase ''~~

Postal strike and weather hamper growth at Flying Brands 23-Oct-2007

Flying Brands, the Jersey-based home shopping group, has said today its trading performance has been hit by the poor summer a...

Amefa UK sponsors Britain’s Best Multiple Housewares Retailer award 23-Oct-2007

Amefa UK, owners of the Dine, So Eat and Richardson Sheffield Brands will sponsor this year's Best Multiple Housewares Retai...

Gaggia UK sponsors Britain’s Best Retailer Training & Support award 23-Oct-2007

DIY Week is pleased to announce that Gaggia UK will be a sponsor of Britain’s Best Retailer Training & Support award at the p...

GfK breathes life into Britain's Best Retailer Awards 22-Oct-2007

Market research company wants every guest to head home safely.

Which? promotes benefits of enery-saving bulbs 22-Oct-2007

Low-energy light bulbs are not only better for the environment, they’re also better for your wallet, says consumer watchdog....

New names at DIY & Garden Show 22-Oct-2007

London show is attracting a growing list of first-time exhibitors to the leading event for the diy and garden industries.

Trading at Wickes continues in line with expectations, says Travis Perkins 22-Oct-2007

Price competition hits margins but Wickes says it is confident of market share gains.

DIY market will return to growth after decline 19-Oct-2007

Market to see increase to £'6bn…but don’t celebrate just yet.

Tesco launches 'Greener Living' brand 18-Oct-2007

Britain's largest retailer lanches environmentally-friendly brand and website to tap into consumer concerns.

Maltings Timber builds diy department in new Doncaster outlet 18-Oct-2007

Merchant installs section to capitalise on customer demand.

Mayor of London names B&Q director as environmental champion 17-Oct-2007

Ken Livingstone has chosen Andrew Morrison, regional director at B&Q as retail champion in a new programme that will celebrat...

Evans wins Mica Achiever award 16-Oct-2007

Robert Evans of Nibletts Mica Hardware in Builth Wells has won the Mica Achiever Award for 2007.

Opportunity knocks for the garden industry and the internet, says HTA 15-Oct-2007

New research underlines the potential of the internet for garden retailers.

BBC Good Homes and BBC Gardeners' World sponsor Britain's Best Marketing 12-Oct-2007

BBC Good Homes and BBC Gardeners’ World have announced they will once again be sponsors of awards organised by DIY Week.

New national sales manager at Hamilton Acorn 12-Oct-2007

Norfolk-based paint applicator manufacturer Hamilton Acorn, has announced the appointment of Darrin Heathershaw as national s...

Business as usual at Dobbies says Barnes 12-Oct-2007

Dobbies chief executive, James Barnes, has spoken for the first time since the company’s takeover by retail giant, Tesco.

Suttons seeds owner to sell up 11-Oct-2007

Vilmorin, the owner of Suttons, has announced it is to sell its seeds and garden products division after the results of a str...

Stuart to blaze a trail for charity 11-Oct-2007

Stuart Blight garden centre manager at Hillier Hemel Hempstead will be cycling in support of the Macmillan cancer support on ...

Security retailer closes its doors 11-Oct-2007

Castle Security Services in Newcastle, Staffordshire closed last week.

Home Retail and Travis Perkins snap up Focus DIY stores 11-Oct-2007

Home Retail and Travis Perkins have bought 34 Focus DIY branches between them.

Irwin signs up as sponsor of Britain's Best Tool Retailer 9-Oct-2007

One of the UK’s best known tool manufacturers, Irwin, has signed up as a new sponsor for Britain’s Best Retailer Awards.

Argos launches viral online campaign 9-Oct-2007

Argos is promoting its largest ever catalogue with a viral campaign dominated by a giant sweet jar standing over two metres t...

B&Q takes interior design online with 'room designer' service 8-Oct-2007

B&Q today unveiled its newly enhanced website, www.diy.com, with extended product ranges and intelligent new features.

Amefa buys Richardson Sheffield 8-Oct-2007

Richardson (Sheffield) has been purchased by Amefa UK, from the administrators, Ernst & Young for an undisclosed sum.

Wyevale opens up the barn doors 8-Oct-2007

Wyevale has bought its third garden centre in a matter of weeks with the acquisition of Old Barn Nurseries in Horsham, Surrey...

Swiss bathroom and kitchen business buys Aqualux 8-Oct-2007

The UK’s leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of bath screens and shower enclosures, Aqualux, has announced its acq...

Focus on tools at London show 8-Oct-2007

The best names in tools will be gathered under one roof next January when they exhibit at Totally Tools and the DIY & Garden ...

Owners of Downtown Superstore and Garden Centre consider approach 4-Oct-2007

Lincolnshire site could fall into the hands of Conduit Skegness Limited.

Brands re-book for Glee 2008 3-Oct-2007

Big name garden industry suppliers such as The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Gardman, Finnforest, Town & Country, and Westland ...

GCA names its garden centres of excellence 3-Oct-2007

Annual audit of members reveals standards are as high as ever with '5 garden centres scoring over 84%.

Rapid discussing plans to offer a porter service 3-Oct-2007

Liverpool home improvement retailer wants to help shoppers unable to park near new premises planned for 20''.

Tesco Direct helps non-food sales remain 'robust' 3-Oct-2007

Despite the poor summer weather and cautious consumers Tesco says its non-food sales remained robust and again grew significa...

Stax is on the move 2-Oct-2007

'ver £''m to be invested in new Manchester site

Obituary: Henry Rizzo 2-Oct-2007

Prestons Cash & Carry in Manchester is very sad to announce the death of one of its employees.

Forest Garden closes Scottish assembly plant 1-Oct-2007

Forest Garden says it has moved to address the sawn timber supply issues experienced by the fencing industry by closing its a...

Stone Cross Nurseries to relocate garden centre 1-Oct-2007

Sussex retailer moves back to original site.