Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive January 2025

Independent retail association expresses alarm as WHSmith considers selling all UK stores 28 January 2025

A leading retail body has voiced serious concerns over the future of Britain's high streets following news that WHSmith is in talks to sell all 500 of its UK high street stores, alongside recently announced job cuts at major retailers and widespread ...


AkzoNobel announces €22 million investment in France, to streamline its operations 13 January 2025

AkzoNobel has presented a plan to its employee representatives and its employees in France that includes a €22 million investment to establish the Montataire site as a flagship for decorative paint production. This initiative reflects the company’s ...


B&Q to buy five Homebase stores in the UK 7 January 2025

B&Q has announced that it has reached agreement to acquire five leasehold stores in the UK, currently trading as Homebase, for a total purchase price of £2.5 m. This follows the agreement to buy three stores currently trading as Homebase in the ...


‘Game Changer’ & customer service guru Geoff Ramm to speak at GCA conference 5 January 2025

Creator and author of Celebrity Service and Celebrity Service Superstars and Forbes named ‘Game Changer’ Geoff Ramm will be presenting at the Garden Centre Association (GCA) conference in Reading this month (January 26 until 29, 2025).Ramm, who is a ...


Hotel of mum & dad can help first-time buyers exit the rental sector 4.4 years quicker 2 January 2025

The latest research from award winning mortgage adviser, Alexander Hall, suggests that first-time buyers could get on the property ladder nearly four and a half years sooner if they were to check in to the Hotel of Mum and Dad, rather than going it ...


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Latest reader comments

re: Latest update on Green Homes Grant and implications for homeowners and landlords

John Hart
After applying for a green homes how long will it take for a decision? thanks...

re: SX Rainproof Exterior Caulk

Wally
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re: BCT can replicate any material in a ceramic tile

Christina Tiritanou
Not sure if you can help as I require a tile which has the measurements of 6”x 6”? Thank you....

re: Latest update on Green Homes Grant and implications for homeowners and landlords

colin thompson
SarahVery clear and helpful information.Thanks...