Latest Polls
What trends have you seen in tiling? As homeowners get more confident with their decor sechemes, are they opting for bold and bright tiles or playing it safe with neutrals?
How are tool sales faring? How are your tool sales faring compared with the rest of your business as a whole?
How is the sunnier weather treating you? The sun has finally returned to Britain - well, most of it - and retailers have wasted no time in pushing their spring/summer stock. How have sales fared on your shop floor since the sun made its long-awaited appearance?
Has bad weather delayed launches this Spring? Several retailers and suppliers, including B&Q and Westland, have announced plans to delay product launches or promotions due to the unprecedented cold weather this Spring. Are you doing the same?
Are you anticipating a good Easter? The weather may be freezing, but last year sales were a washout for many over Easter. Are you staying positive for the Bank Holiday weekend?
Which retailers pose the biggest threat to garden centres? In light of Waitrose's plans to seize a bigger share of the garden market, which of these non-garden centre businesses do you think poses the biggest threat to garden retailers?
Will Waitrose conquer the garden market? Waitrose is creating a stir in the garden industry with the launch of its first garden centre in Newbury and a new partnership with celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh. Do you think this new venture will work for the retailer?
The big bee debate: where do you stand? Garden centres up and down the country have joined DIY giants B&Q, Wickes and Homebase in banning insecticides which reportedly threaten the bee population. The UK government and HTA say there is not enough evidence to justify a ban. So are these retailers right to do so?
Totally DIY and Totally Tools 2013: your verdict We've heard from the exhibitors at this year's Totally Shows, but what did visitors make of the new venue, free lunches and selection of goods on show this week?
Are you planning to make redundancies? According to the BRC, 50% of retailers are planning to make redundancies during the first quarter of 2013. It comes as Norwich-based Godfrey DIY called in liquidators just weeks after revealing plans for redundancies and cutbacks. What does the next three months have in store for your business?
Is it possible to compare kitchens online? B&Q and Homebase have locked horns over their representation on a kitchen price comparison website. Do you think kitchens can accurately be compared in this way?
How did Christmas 2012 shape up for you? Haskins, QD and John Lewis have reported bumper sales over the 2012 festive period, but in the wake of last year's adminstrations figures, Deloitte has said Christmas sales will not be enough to prevent early 2013 retail casualties. How did your business fare this Christmas?
How are sales this Christmas? After a sluggish start to the festive retail season, the BDO has said there is "every indication" Christmas 2012 will generate more sales than last year. Do you agree?
Greedy or genius? Morrisons and Asda bosses have been accused of greed after launching a campaign to relax Sunday trading restrictions on larger retailers on December 23. What best sums up your view?
Battle of the Christmas adverts: B&Q vs John Lewis B&Q unveiled its 2012 Christmas advert this week, just days after John Lewis revealed its latest festive commercial - and from the female soloist cover songs to the 'heart-warming story' theme, there are marked similarities between the two.
So, which retailer delivered the most effective ad?
Should "less than living wage" companies be shamed? Ed Miliband has said that those businesses who pay their employees less than the newly set "living wage" of £7.45 an hour (£8.55 in London) should be "named and shamed" and barred from government contracts. Do you think this is fair?
Is the reign of the sheds coming to an end? Both Homebase and B&Q recently announced plans to reduce their collective 600+ store numbers. What will this mean for independent retailers?
Argos' digital reinvention: a good move? The Home Retail Group has announced plans to reinvent Argos as "a digital retail leader", moving away from its traditional catalogue-based business model. Is this a good move for the retailer?
Are you going bigger this Christmas? The festive season is just around the corner. After a disappointing summer for many, are you are treating Christmas 2012 as a chance to recoup lost sales?
Glee 2012: What did you think? Some say it has become too small, others say the compact size allows for better networking. What did you think of Glee 2012?
What will the Green Deal mean for your business? With the government's Green Deal due to be implemented next month, we're asking our readers how they think it will impact on the DIY/garden retail industry?
What's on your shop floor this autumn? While many grocery retailers have already shifted their focus (and shopfloors) to autumn and even Christmas, home and garden retailers sometimes lag behind in the hopes of selling the last of their summer stock. What are you pushing this September?
Will you be attending Glee? With a new-look and more tightly focused show promised for visitors this year, do you plan to attend Glee in September?
Did the hottest weekend of the year boost sales? Last weekend the UK finally gained a taste of proper summer, with the temperatures scorching at 32 degrees Celsius in some areas, making it the hottest weekend of the year. But did this give the tail-end of the season a much needed boost? Or were shop floors abandoned as Britons headed to the beach?
Would you welcome a cash mob? The trend for cash mobbing is catching on but would you be keen if a customer contacted you saying they wanted to arrange a similar event in your store?
Longer Sunday opening hours Would you be in favour of a permanent relaxation of Sunday trading restrictions, allowing retailers to stay open for longer?
Batteries: are consumers bulk-buying or impulsive? What best describes consumer trends in the battery market over the past year?
How has the weather affected sales of sheds, gates and fencing? Has the recent destructive wind and rain created any sales opportunities in the sheds, gates and fences sector?
Why is garden play the golden egg of the outdoor living sector? In a category which has seen general sales decline over the past year according to GFK data, Garden Play products (ie toys, playhouses, games and activities) have shown growth of 12%. What do you think is behind this emerging trend?
Exclusively: Your thoughts If you attended Exclusively Housewares, did you find it worthwhile?
Did you attend Exclusively Housewares this year? Exhibitors at this year's show reported good numbers, but were you one of them?
Did the Jubilee bank holiday live up to your expectations? Some stayed open the full four days, others played it by ear. For many, the long bank holiday from June 2 - 5 was meant to herald a summer of spending, but did the rain and wind put a dampener on sales?
What's driving or hampering your tool sales? What has had the most dramatic influence on the sale of hand, power and garden tools over the past year?
Flooring – what are your best sellers? As homeowners look to improve, not move, what do they like the feel of under their feet?
Do you plan to open over the Jubilee Bank Holiday?
With street parties taking place across the UK on June 4 and 5, will you follow Beckworth Emporium's example and give staff the Bank Holidays off or remain open to take advantage of any extra spending?
Do you want to extend your Sunday trading hours? The Government has announced a suspension of the Sunday Trading Laws during the Olympics. What are your thoughts on the move?
A good move for Totally? What do you think of the Totally shows' relocation to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry for 2013?
Is it really "grossly unfair"? Social housing providers up and down the country have been criticized for "unfairly favouring" B&Q with home improvement vouchers and courses for their tenants. What do you think?
What colour trends are you seeing? Are customers experimenting with bold and bright paint shades or playing it safe with muted tones?
Decor trends: Paint vs Wallpaper Is wallpaper still a big seller or are customers experimenting more with paint now?
What will DIY Express mean for independents? Are you concerned that DIY Express will pose a threat to independent DIY retailers?
Will the impending hosepipe ban have a serious impact on the garden trade? If you are a garden retailer operating in the south east and East Anglia, do you think the water restrictions will have a detrimental effect on your business?
Do you trade online? More and more DIY and garden centre retailers feel online trading is a key part of their business and integral to the future of the industry.
Others believe consumers will always prefer 'face-to-face' service.
How important do you think an online presence is to the future of the DIY and garden industry?
Is this ad sexist? The ASA recently banned a poster ad for Tottenham-based Mems DIY store, saying it contained "overtly sexual content" which was "sexist and objectified women." Read the full story and see the controversial advert here.
What do you think?
Did you visit Totally this year? With snow and severe weather conditions impacting travel, did you brave the cold and visit the Totally shows at the NEC, Birmingham this month?
Asia Plywood debacle: what would you do? B&Q and Wickes both recently found out some of their timber stock was no longer FSC-approved, due to 'irresponsible sourcing' by Asia Plywood. Both cancelled further supplies from Asia Plywood, but took different action when dealing with the remaining stock of the wood. What would you do in their position? Read the full story here
Will you be attending the Totally shows this year? Click whichever option most applies to you
How do you protect your business against crime? The BRC says the cost of crime has risen to £1.4bn as traders spend more on repairs, replacements and security. How do you ensure your business (including staff and all property) is protected from theft, vandalism and violent crime?
How did sales hold up this Christmas? Footfall figures were up in December and shoppers made the most of Boxing Day discounts but did you see an increase in sales over the Christmas period?
Are shoppers spending this Christmas? With the big day just around the corner, have you seen a pick up in spend in the lead up to Christmas?
UK business: Is the Government doing enough? Following the release of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement this week, do you think the Government is doing enough to help small businesses?
Bye bye Best Buy Were you surprised that Carphone Warehouse decided to pull the plug on electronics chain Best Buy UK, closing all 11 stores?
How are you planning for Christmas? Debate is heating up over the levels of consumer spending we can expect this Christmas. What preparations are you putting in place?
Do you support British-made products? Do you make a conscious decision to stock products made in the UK?
Are you discounting to drive sales? Aggressive discounting is reportedly keeping shop price inflation down in the non-food sector. Have you ramped up promotions in order to keep shoppers spending?
Festive displays: Is June too soon? Christmas seems to crop up in department stores and garden centres earlier and earlier! But what do you think is the best month to deck the halls of your store?
Is there a demand for green products? The low carbon goods and services industry in the UK is expected to grow by 45% between 2007/08 and 2014/15 but have you seen an increase in demand for green products among your customers?
How are tool sales faring? How are your tool sales faring compared with the rest of your business as a whole?
How is the sunnier weather treating you? The sun has finally returned to Britain - well, most of it - and retailers have wasted no time in pushing their spring/summer stock. How have sales fared on your shop floor since the sun made its long-awaited appearance?
Has bad weather delayed launches this Spring? Several retailers and suppliers, including B&Q and Westland, have announced plans to delay product launches or promotions due to the unprecedented cold weather this Spring. Are you doing the same?
Are you anticipating a good Easter? The weather may be freezing, but last year sales were a washout for many over Easter. Are you staying positive for the Bank Holiday weekend?
Which retailers pose the biggest threat to garden centres? In light of Waitrose's plans to seize a bigger share of the garden market, which of these non-garden centre businesses do you think poses the biggest threat to garden retailers?
Will Waitrose conquer the garden market? Waitrose is creating a stir in the garden industry with the launch of its first garden centre in Newbury and a new partnership with celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh. Do you think this new venture will work for the retailer?
The big bee debate: where do you stand? Garden centres up and down the country have joined DIY giants B&Q, Wickes and Homebase in banning insecticides which reportedly threaten the bee population. The UK government and HTA say there is not enough evidence to justify a ban. So are these retailers right to do so?
Totally DIY and Totally Tools 2013: your verdict We've heard from the exhibitors at this year's Totally Shows, but what did visitors make of the new venue, free lunches and selection of goods on show this week?
Are you planning to make redundancies? According to the BRC, 50% of retailers are planning to make redundancies during the first quarter of 2013. It comes as Norwich-based Godfrey DIY called in liquidators just weeks after revealing plans for redundancies and cutbacks. What does the next three months have in store for your business?
Is it possible to compare kitchens online? B&Q and Homebase have locked horns over their representation on a kitchen price comparison website. Do you think kitchens can accurately be compared in this way?
How did Christmas 2012 shape up for you? Haskins, QD and John Lewis have reported bumper sales over the 2012 festive period, but in the wake of last year's adminstrations figures, Deloitte has said Christmas sales will not be enough to prevent early 2013 retail casualties. How did your business fare this Christmas?
How are sales this Christmas? After a sluggish start to the festive retail season, the BDO has said there is "every indication" Christmas 2012 will generate more sales than last year. Do you agree?
Greedy or genius? Morrisons and Asda bosses have been accused of greed after launching a campaign to relax Sunday trading restrictions on larger retailers on December 23. What best sums up your view?
Battle of the Christmas adverts: B&Q vs John Lewis B&Q unveiled its 2012 Christmas advert this week, just days after John Lewis revealed its latest festive commercial - and from the female soloist cover songs to the 'heart-warming story' theme, there are marked similarities between the two.
So, which retailer delivered the most effective ad?
Should "less than living wage" companies be shamed? Ed Miliband has said that those businesses who pay their employees less than the newly set "living wage" of £7.45 an hour (£8.55 in London) should be "named and shamed" and barred from government contracts. Do you think this is fair?
Is the reign of the sheds coming to an end? Both Homebase and B&Q recently announced plans to reduce their collective 600+ store numbers. What will this mean for independent retailers?
Argos' digital reinvention: a good move? The Home Retail Group has announced plans to reinvent Argos as "a digital retail leader", moving away from its traditional catalogue-based business model. Is this a good move for the retailer?
Are you going bigger this Christmas? The festive season is just around the corner. After a disappointing summer for many, are you are treating Christmas 2012 as a chance to recoup lost sales?
Glee 2012: What did you think? Some say it has become too small, others say the compact size allows for better networking. What did you think of Glee 2012?
What will the Green Deal mean for your business? With the government's Green Deal due to be implemented next month, we're asking our readers how they think it will impact on the DIY/garden retail industry?
What's on your shop floor this autumn? While many grocery retailers have already shifted their focus (and shopfloors) to autumn and even Christmas, home and garden retailers sometimes lag behind in the hopes of selling the last of their summer stock. What are you pushing this September?
Will you be attending Glee? With a new-look and more tightly focused show promised for visitors this year, do you plan to attend Glee in September?
Did the hottest weekend of the year boost sales? Last weekend the UK finally gained a taste of proper summer, with the temperatures scorching at 32 degrees Celsius in some areas, making it the hottest weekend of the year. But did this give the tail-end of the season a much needed boost? Or were shop floors abandoned as Britons headed to the beach?
Would you welcome a cash mob? The trend for cash mobbing is catching on but would you be keen if a customer contacted you saying they wanted to arrange a similar event in your store?
Longer Sunday opening hours Would you be in favour of a permanent relaxation of Sunday trading restrictions, allowing retailers to stay open for longer?
Batteries: are consumers bulk-buying or impulsive? What best describes consumer trends in the battery market over the past year?
How has the weather affected sales of sheds, gates and fencing? Has the recent destructive wind and rain created any sales opportunities in the sheds, gates and fences sector?
Why is garden play the golden egg of the outdoor living sector? In a category which has seen general sales decline over the past year according to GFK data, Garden Play products (ie toys, playhouses, games and activities) have shown growth of 12%. What do you think is behind this emerging trend?
Exclusively: Your thoughts If you attended Exclusively Housewares, did you find it worthwhile?
Did you attend Exclusively Housewares this year? Exhibitors at this year's show reported good numbers, but were you one of them?
Did the Jubilee bank holiday live up to your expectations? Some stayed open the full four days, others played it by ear. For many, the long bank holiday from June 2 - 5 was meant to herald a summer of spending, but did the rain and wind put a dampener on sales?
What's driving or hampering your tool sales? What has had the most dramatic influence on the sale of hand, power and garden tools over the past year?
Flooring – what are your best sellers? As homeowners look to improve, not move, what do they like the feel of under their feet?
Do you plan to open over the Jubilee Bank Holiday?
With street parties taking place across the UK on June 4 and 5, will you follow Beckworth Emporium's example and give staff the Bank Holidays off or remain open to take advantage of any extra spending?
Do you want to extend your Sunday trading hours? The Government has announced a suspension of the Sunday Trading Laws during the Olympics. What are your thoughts on the move?
A good move for Totally? What do you think of the Totally shows' relocation to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry for 2013?
Is it really "grossly unfair"? Social housing providers up and down the country have been criticized for "unfairly favouring" B&Q with home improvement vouchers and courses for their tenants. What do you think?
What colour trends are you seeing? Are customers experimenting with bold and bright paint shades or playing it safe with muted tones?
Decor trends: Paint vs Wallpaper Is wallpaper still a big seller or are customers experimenting more with paint now?
What will DIY Express mean for independents? Are you concerned that DIY Express will pose a threat to independent DIY retailers?
Will the impending hosepipe ban have a serious impact on the garden trade? If you are a garden retailer operating in the south east and East Anglia, do you think the water restrictions will have a detrimental effect on your business?
Do you trade online? More and more DIY and garden centre retailers feel online trading is a key part of their business and integral to the future of the industry.
Others believe consumers will always prefer 'face-to-face' service.
How important do you think an online presence is to the future of the DIY and garden industry?
Is this ad sexist? The ASA recently banned a poster ad for Tottenham-based Mems DIY store, saying it contained "overtly sexual content" which was "sexist and objectified women." Read the full story and see the controversial advert here.
What do you think?
Did you visit Totally this year? With snow and severe weather conditions impacting travel, did you brave the cold and visit the Totally shows at the NEC, Birmingham this month?
Asia Plywood debacle: what would you do? B&Q and Wickes both recently found out some of their timber stock was no longer FSC-approved, due to 'irresponsible sourcing' by Asia Plywood. Both cancelled further supplies from Asia Plywood, but took different action when dealing with the remaining stock of the wood. What would you do in their position? Read the full story here
Will you be attending the Totally shows this year? Click whichever option most applies to you
How do you protect your business against crime? The BRC says the cost of crime has risen to £1.4bn as traders spend more on repairs, replacements and security. How do you ensure your business (including staff and all property) is protected from theft, vandalism and violent crime?
How did sales hold up this Christmas? Footfall figures were up in December and shoppers made the most of Boxing Day discounts but did you see an increase in sales over the Christmas period?
Are shoppers spending this Christmas? With the big day just around the corner, have you seen a pick up in spend in the lead up to Christmas?
UK business: Is the Government doing enough? Following the release of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement this week, do you think the Government is doing enough to help small businesses?
Bye bye Best Buy Were you surprised that Carphone Warehouse decided to pull the plug on electronics chain Best Buy UK, closing all 11 stores?
How are you planning for Christmas? Debate is heating up over the levels of consumer spending we can expect this Christmas. What preparations are you putting in place?
Do you support British-made products? Do you make a conscious decision to stock products made in the UK?
Are you discounting to drive sales? Aggressive discounting is reportedly keeping shop price inflation down in the non-food sector. Have you ramped up promotions in order to keep shoppers spending?
Festive displays: Is June too soon? Christmas seems to crop up in department stores and garden centres earlier and earlier! But what do you think is the best month to deck the halls of your store?
Is there a demand for green products? The low carbon goods and services industry in the UK is expected to grow by 45% between 2007/08 and 2014/15 but have you seen an increase in demand for green products among your customers?
