Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Homebase puts 116 jobs at risk

Consultation period for staff already under way as DIY chain prepares to close Wellingborough supply depot in August. 
8 April 2009

14m households to tackle DIY jobs this weekend

Credit crunch encourages homeowners to save money by taking on jobs themselves rather than get a professional in. 
8 April 2009

Jewson launches landscaping range

Builders merchant introduces new own-brand range of landscaping products in time for key spring retail period. 
8 April 2009

Bank surveys show strong signs for DIY

Home improvement expenditure is still on the rise according to the latest research by Lloyds TSB, which found that in the 10 years from 1998 to 2008 DIY spending rose 42% from £7.7bn to £10.9bn. 
7 April 2009

DIY store owner fined for knife sale

A store owner from south London has pleaded guilty to selling a bladed tool to a council volunteer aged under 18. 
7 April 2009

Burgled homes to get free B&Q or Focus DIY vouchers

Burgled homeowners are to get advice and free vouchers from the big DIY sheds in an initiative launched by the Government. 
7 April 2009

MBO pulls Robert Dyas back from the brink

After much speculation in the national press about the future of high street hardware chain Robert Dyas, it seems a buyout deal has been struck to save the ailing retailer. 
6 April 2009

Focus sponsors 60 minute makeover

DIY chain unveiled as new sponsor of ITV1’s flagship daytime DIY programme. 
6 April 2009

B&Q launches new multi-million-pound ad push

B&Q is launching its latest multi-million-pound advertising campaign today (April 6). 
6 April 2009

Hardware shops all pass council knife 'sting'

Bracknell Forest Council's trading standards department checked ten DIY shops with all passing the controversial 'sting' tests. 
3 April 2009

Housewares Conference highlights recession-led opportunities

Home-cooked meals, baking, slow cooking, food on the go, entertaining at home...all big trends sparked by recession - and all trends that the housewares industry can benefit from, delegates to this week's Housewares Conference learned. 
3 April 2009

Hospital takes on extra staff to cope with DIY accidents

As the Easter bank holiday looms the usual warnings of DIY accidents are issued. 
2 April 2009

Cotswold and Letterbox both close

Findel, the parent company of Express Gifts, has closed two of its loss-making businesses. 
2 April 2009

B&Q appoints marketing director

Warren Scarr takes up role following departure of Jo Kenrick as part of a board restructure last year. 
2 April 2009

Retailers to cash in this Easter

Latest figures reveal retail traffic will be up 4% compared with equivalent Easter fortnight last year. 
2 April 2009

Bosch has announced a fall in UK profits

In its annual results Bosch has revealed its 2008 sales in the UK fell from €2.27bn to €2.02bn. 
1 April 2009

Business rate increase cut to 2%

Chancellor Alistair Darling bows to pressure and scales back proposed 5% rate increase, which threatened to cripple beleaguered retailers. 
1 April 2009

DIY shop closes after precisely a quarter of a century

North Wales-based Dee Jays has shut its doors 25 years to the day since is first stated trading. 
1 April 2009

Marks & Spencer fourth quarter results reveal 'surprise' sales improvements

M&S has issued its Q4 trading update this morning (March 31) and it is an improvement on the last quarter and much better than many commentators had expected. 
31 March 2009

Knife sales banned in East of England outlets

The East of England Co-op chain has taken knives off the shelves of its 135 stores. 
30 March 2009
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