Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Focus sells six stores to Asda

DIY retailer has transferred leases for six outlets to supermarket chain Asda for an undisclosed sum in a bid to raise funds for further investment in the firm. 
25 February 2011

Garden Centre Group shuts down pot recycling scheme

Garden centre chain closes all of its 120 drop-off points and ends "popular scheme", due to difficulties finding a company to handle the recycling process. 
25 February 2011

London ranked as top shopping capital

City accounted for non-food sales of £64.2bn in 2010, beating top 21 shopping destinations in the world, including New York, Tokyo and Paris. 
24 February 2011

Record-breaking decline in family spending power continues

Family spending power declined 4.7% year-on-year in January, representing the second record-breaking month in a row, according to the latest results from the Asda Income Tracker. 
24 February 2011

QVC updates mobile app to include full range

The online and TV shopping channel has extended it reach with the updated app, which allows customers to shop more than 15,000 QVC products using their mobile phone. 
23 February 2011

Awards sponsor line-up confirmed

Leading industry names lend their support to the Product of the Year Awards 2011, as sponsor list is confirmed. 
23 February 2011

Wickes outperforms "tough" retail market

Wickes parent Travis Perkins grew its pre-tax profit by 20% to £217m last year despite a "broadly flat" market, according to its preliminary results statement released today. 
23 February 2011

B&Q lodges complaint over Homebase ad

ASA rules that 'extra 15% off' statement in Homebase summer sale commercial is misleading after rival DIY chain challenges TV ad. 
23 February 2011

Asda launches premium homeware brand

Elegant Living range will be available from the supermarket chain from March, with products including Egyptian cotton linen, crystal glassware and stainless steel pans at 'affordable prices'. 
23 February 2011

TPA takes over BBQ brand Outback

UK barbecue brand Outback has been taken over by China-based manufacturer TPA Metals and Machinery Ltd. 
22 February 2011

Conservation groups push for peat levy

Conservation groups and gardening supplier Vital Earth are calling on the Government to introduce a £1 levy on peat products bought from garden centres to encourage customers to use peat-free alternatives. 
21 February 2011

Obituary: former Kingfisher director Nigel Whittaker

Former B&Q chairman and Kingfisher director Nigel Whittaker has died after a long illness, aged 62. 
21 February 2011

Obituary: Ron Hickman

Ron Hickman, inventor of the Black & Decker Workmate workbench, died last week aged 78. 
21 February 2011

Tool Shop acquisition

Vin Vara, owner of the nine-strong chain of Tool Shop and Houseware Centre stores in Central London, has acquired Trafalgar Lock & Key Ltd. 
18 February 2011

Home and garden leaps 56% online in January

Internet sales soared 21% in January, with consumers spending £5.1bn online, according to the latest IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index. 
18 February 2011

Family-run store to close after almost two centuries

Family-run pet and garden supplies retailer Frampton and Sons is set to close after 175 years. 
18 February 2011

Strong ONS January sales figures distorted, says BRC

Retail sales volumes grew 5.3% year-on-year in January, according to figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) today. 
18 February 2011

Hozelock invests £1m in new manufacturing plant

The investment in a state-of-the-art plant at Hozelock's Midpoint Park factory in Birmingham features a new injection moulding machine, set to enhance production and help achieve record delivery times. 
17 February 2011

International business boosts Kingfisher profit expectations as UK sales remain flat

Kingfisher has said it expects full-year pre-tax profit to be at the top end of current analyst estimates, with flat UK sales offset by stronger performances in its international businesses. 
17 February 2011

Dunelm remains committed to store expansion

Homewares retailer reports strong trading in first half and stands firm in plans to open up to 100 superstores, despite concerns over "fragile consumer confidence". 
17 February 2011
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