Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

Latest News

Sales up at HSS Hire

HSS Hire Service Group has reported a 14% increase in revenue to £44.6m for its third quarter. 
3 November 2010

M&S in talks over Government's 'Green Deal'

Marks & Spencer is currently in talks with the Government over its 'Green Deal' policy, which aims to make up to 14m homes more energy efficient. 
3 November 2010

Welsh carrier bag charge reduced

Welsh Assembly Government cuts compulsory carrier bag charge from 7p to 5p following advice from BRC. 
2 November 2010

Sales of household goods and DIY slow in October

High street sales were higher than a year ago but household goods saw a slower increase, while hardware and DIY reported a decline. 
1 November 2010

Growth continues at Ikea despite market decline

Ikea UK & Ireland has reported a like-for-like sales rise of 1% to £1.2bn for the year to August 31, 2010. 
1 November 2010

Homebase and B&Q ranked last in Which? online retail survey

B&Q and Homebase have come bottom in the latest Which? consumer survey of 78 online retailers, with low ratings for both price and product. 
29 October 2010

Best Buy opens in Croydon

Best Buy opened its fifth UK store this morning at Trafalgar Way Retail Park on the Purley Way in Croydon. 
29 October 2010

Asda trials Argos-style offer

In-store ordering service 'Asda Extra' to be trialled in three Asda outlets in the north of England. 
29 October 2010

Apprentice makes rookie error at Home Hardware

DIY Week readers who are fans of The Apprentice will have enjoyed last night's episode, which featured B&Q, Wolseley and Rowlands Home Hardware. 
28 October 2010

Retail jobs grow despite tough economy

Retail employment went up by 2.1% in the third quarter of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009, according to the latest BRC-Bond Pearce Retail Employment Monitor. 
28 October 2010

Retail Trust Search for a Star continues

X Factor-style competition has whittled contestants down to top 50 retail employees in a quest to find the best vocal performer for 2010 and raise funds for retail charity. 
28 October 2010

John Lewis at home opens in Swindon today

Department store chain continues roll out of at home format with 40,000sq ft outlet on Mannington Retail Park. 
28 October 2010

Sales slide at Carpetright in "difficult market"

Carpetright has reported a decline in group sales of 5.2% for the 12 weeks to October 23, 2010. 
27 October 2010

Wickes announces two-year extension to charity partnership

DIY retailer to continue support of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, after vote is put to Wickes employees. 
27 October 2010

Cameron pledges support for British business

Prime Minister backs the "businesses of tomorrow" for economic growth, stresses the importance of competition and wants to get banks back lending to smaller firms. 
26 October 2010

Focus brand director Richard Bird steps down

Focus DIY brand director Richard Bird has stepped down from his role to become a director of Focus' parent company FLP2. 
26 October 2010

Royal opening for RHS horticulture educational facility

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall will officially open the new carbon neutral Bramall Learning Centre library at RHS Garden Harlow Carr. 
25 October 2010

Sales slip in September

ONS reports 0.2% drop in sales volumes on previous month, despite positive growth seen in household goods categories and non-specialised stores. 
25 October 2010

Home Hardware welcomes newest member

Avery Truman, the oldest independent store in Eltham, re-opened its doors earlier this month as the latest to adopt the Home Hardware name and fascia. 
25 October 2010

Colder weather enhances John Lewis' performance

Pace picks up for department store following temperature drop, with sales of Christmas merchandise ahead of last year and shoppers wrapping up in winter clothing. 
22 October 2010
*

Most read stories