Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Focus supports the National Vegetable Society for 2010

Focus DIY is continuing its support of the National Vegetable Society (NVS) during 2010. 
4 March 2010

Potting compost linked to Legionnaire's cases in Scotland

Health experts call for warning labels on compost following reports of three cases of Legionnaire's disease in Scotland, including one fatality. 
4 March 2010

Grafton mitigates weak DIY demand with job cuts

Merchant and DIY chain compensates for 26% drop in sales with cost base reduction of €85m. 
4 March 2010

B&Q price checks revealed

B&Q has revealed its price check figures for the first time as it launched its new Decorate for Less campaign today. 
4 March 2010

Retailers still have time to appeal against business rates

Forum of Private Business (FPB) urges companies to assess whether their rate bills over the past five years have been set too high after around 160,000 small businesses win rebates. 
3 March 2010

Retail footfall drops again, while 'fierce competition' keeps prices low

Store traffic dipped 1.3% in February, with consumers still exhausted by December's 'buying frenzy', despite shop price inflation rising just 1.7%. 
3 March 2010

B&Q leads government 'green loan' pilot scheme

B&Q is partnering the London Borough of Sutton in a trial of the Government's new Pay as You Save (PAYS) scheme, introduced yesterday. 
3 March 2010

Impress purchases assets from STI

Packaging manufacturer Impress has purchased the assets of Service Tool International (STI), which has decided to enter into liquidation. 
2 March 2010

BRC calls for spending cuts

British Retail Consortium urges Chancellor to cut public spending and avoid tax hikes in a bid to help retailers recover from the recession. 
2 March 2010

Dobbies launches new eco-friendly store

Dobbies will open its most environmentally-friendly store to date in Aberdeen this week. 
2 March 2010

Cologne show pulls the crowds

Exhibitor numbers may have been 20% lower than the pre-recession 2008 show, but with around 2,700 exhibitors, the 2010 Cologne Hardware Fair still dwarfed other shows. 
2 March 2010

Consumers opt for locally sourced garden products

HTA research finds that customers are more likely to buy items displaying Union Jack or local marking. 
1 March 2010

High street boasts strong sales

High street retailers are continuing to maintain strong sales results, according to BDO's High Street Sales Tracker. 
1 March 2010

Garden centre break-in

Trusthorpe Garden Centre was broken into on Monday night despite recently installing a new security system worth £1,500. 
26 February 2010

Best sales on high street for more than two years but DIY still struggles

February exceeds expectations with homewares and furniture up, while sales volumes of hardware and DIY continue to fall. 
26 February 2010

Payment performance improves again

UK businesses improved their payment performance for the fifth time in the last six months in January, according to the latest Late Payment Index from Experian. 
26 February 2010

John Lewis reports 40% jump in furniture sales

Footfall up at department stores during half term week, with shoppers spending on beds, bedroom furniture and home accessories. 
26 February 2010

B&Q shoots new ad in Sutton store

DIY chain continues its 'real staff, real value' campaign with new set of ads featuring employees at the Surrey store. 
25 February 2010

Garden centre groper found guilty

The elderly proprietor of a Preston garden centre has been found guilty of groping two female customers. 
25 February 2010

Facebook campaign loses fight to keep Homebase ad makeover at Carlisle station

Almost 8,000 members signed up in a bid to maintain vibrant paint scheme and garden creation at busy Citadel station. 
25 February 2010
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