Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

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Hall move for Totally shows

Increased demands on space at Spring Fair have meant the Totally shows, co-locating with Spring Fair for the first time next year, are making the move from hall nine to hall 10. 
5 October 2009

John Lewis own range scores highly in Which? test

Department store chain gets top marks for its fridge and washer-dryer ranges, beating other leading brands. 
5 October 2009

Charles Bentley reports 25% sales rise

Brushware manufacturer recovers from two difficult quarters with "more upbeat sales figures". 
2 October 2009

Trade associations sign formal merger

The merger between the British Hardware Federation and the British Shops & Stores Association was made official yesterday at a signing ceremony in London. 
1 October 2009

Tesco launches installed kitchen and bathroom range

Supermarket goes head to head with DIY and bathroom retailers by introducing new installed range online and instore. 
1 October 2009

UPDATE: More Mica members join Home Hardware

Southwest branch experiences similar trend to Home Hardware Scotland, as 20 ex-Mica members flock to the dealer-owned wholesaler. 
1 October 2009

M&S chairman: consumers more confident

High street retailer reveals 2.7% increase in group sales, with online seeing a 30% boost. 
30 September 2009

High street showing signs of stabilisation

39% of retailers reported year-on-year sales volume increase in September, according to the CBI's Distributive Trades Survey. 
30 September 2009

Wickes sales boosted by kitchen and bathroom investment

Travis Perkins-owned DIY chain reports 20.8% increase in showroom sales, as group sales are "ahead of expectations". 
30 September 2009

Bosch to shed 10,000 jobs this year

Speaking earlier this month Franz Farenbach, Bosch chief exec, said that Bosch would end 2009 with 10,000 fewer employees than it had at the start of the year. A further 100,000 workers will be kept on reduced working hours. 
29 September 2009

IHA Centenary Congress

London welcomes an international audience for prestigious event. 
29 September 2009

Wolseley considers further cutbacks following annual loss

Plumb and Build Center parent company won't rule out further job losses as it reveals £766m drop in pre-tax profit for the year to July 31. 
28 September 2009

Silverline Tools' drag racing event a success

Annual power tool drag racing fun day attracts big names, including Toolstation and Makita, as well as Channel 5's The Gadget Show. 
28 September 2009

Top DIY companies sign up to new WRAP initiative

Six of the most prominent UK DIY retailers and brands sign agreement to reduce packaging and waste to landfill. 
25 September 2009

FPB reduces headache of employment law

New employment guide designed to help small businesses comply with employment laws, as companies are forced to make redundancies in tough times. 
25 September 2009

Mica members join Home Hardware Scotland

Three former Mica members join the dealer-owned wholesaler, boosting its number of shops in Scotland and the north of England to 50. 
24 September 2009

New government helpline to support workers

Business minister launches support line to allow vulnerable workers to seek advice and report abuse of workplace rights. 
24 September 2009

Sterling buys Spectra

Sterling Locks has acquired the Spectra Door Closer and Door Stops range for an undisclosed sum. 
23 September 2009

Topps remains profitable despite sales slide

Topps Tiles issued a pre-close statement this morning, for the 52 weeks to September 26, ahead of its preliminary results, which will not be released until November 24. 
23 September 2009

Bayer appoints sales agency

Denholm Agency replaces garden care company’s reps to handle business in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England. 
23 September 2009
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