News Archive October 2007
Woolworths undeterred by dip in like-for-like sales
31 October 2007
Businesses are in good shape, says Trevor Bish-Jones.
American Tool founder Petersen dies
30 October 2007
Allen Petersen, founder of American Tool Companies Inc, died on Sunday October 28 at the age of 66.
Tesco cancels dividend to fund future growth at Dobbies
30 October 2007
Supermarket giant outlines plans to raise growth, grow internet business, and acquire stores 'when appropriate'.
Cunningtons Tools launches 'The Big Tool Shop'
30 October 2007
Corby-based Cunningtons Tools has widened its customer base by launching an online tool shop promising delivery of items direct from stock.
Plasti-kote reports growth in market share
29 October 2007
Heavy brand investment by Plasti-kote has driven growth in the spray paint market as GfK figures for September show that the market has grown by 7.1%.
Early Christmas opening paying off for garden centres
28 October 2007
Sales boost indicates the Christmas period will be robust.
Wickes in franchise deal to extend brand in Ireland
26 October 2007
Wickes has entered a franchise agreement with Moritz Home Improvements under which Moritz will develop home improvement stores in Ireland under the Wickes brand.
New national sales manager for Kelkay
26 October 2007
Former Town & Country manager appointed to strengthen brand.
Alltools launches online tool shop
26 October 2007
Professional customer base accustomed to purchasing tools on the web, says sales and marketing director.
Thompson & Morgan buys Rainbow Flowers
26 October 2007
Horticultural supplier Thompson & Morgan has acquired Guernsey-based Rainbow Flowers.
Hillier garden centre manager completes South Downs course
25 October 2007
Stuart Blight, garden centre manager at Hillier Hemel Hempstead cycled 60 miles for Macmillan Cancer Support in four and a half hours.
Garden Centre TV hits the ground running
25 October 2007
Initial reaction to launch 'positive', says founder Jim Greenfield
Argos the shining star at Home Retail Group
24 October 2007
First half results show Argos generating 50% profit growth; Homebase 12%.
Gaggia UK sponsors Britain’s Best Retailer Training & Support award
23 October 2007
DIY Week is pleased to announce that Gaggia UK will be a sponsor of Britain’s Best Retailer Training & Support award at the prestigious Britain’s Best Retailer Awards 2007.
Amefa UK sponsors Britain’s Best Multiple Housewares Retailer award
23 October 2007
Amefa UK, owners of the Dine, So Eat and Richardson Sheffield
Brands will sponsor this year's Best Multiple Housewares Retailer award.
Postal strike and weather hamper growth at Flying Brands
23 October 2007
Flying Brands, the Jersey-based home shopping group, has said today its trading performance has been hit by the poor summer and strike action at the Royal Mail.
Trading at Wickes continues in line with expectations, says Travis Perkins
22 October 2007
Price competition hits margins but Wickes says it is confident of market share gains.
New names at DIY & Garden Show
22 October 2007
London show is attracting a growing list of first-time exhibitors to the leading event for the diy and garden industries.
Which? promotes benefits of enery-saving bulbs
22 October 2007
Low-energy light bulbs are not only better for the environment, they’re also better for your wallet, says consumer watchdog.
GfK breathes life into Britain's Best Retailer Awards
22 October 2007
Market research company wants every guest to head home safely.
DIY market will return to growth after decline
19 October 2007
Market to see increase to £16bn…but don’t celebrate just yet.
Maltings Timber builds diy department in new Doncaster outlet
18 October 2007
Merchant installs section to capitalise on customer demand.
Tesco launches 'Greener Living' brand
18 October 2007
Britain's largest retailer lanches environmentally-friendly brand and website to tap into consumer concerns.
Mayor of London names B&Q director as environmental champion
17 October 2007
Ken Livingstone has chosen Andrew Morrison, regional director at B&Q as retail champion in a new programme that will celebrate the role Londoners can play in creating a more sustainable city.
Evans wins Mica Achiever award
16 October 2007
Robert Evans of Nibletts Mica Hardware in Builth Wells has won the Mica Achiever Award for 2007.
Opportunity knocks for the garden industry and the internet, says HTA
15 October 2007
New research underlines the potential of the internet for garden retailers.
Business as usual at Dobbies says Barnes
12 October 2007
Dobbies chief executive, James Barnes, has spoken for the first time since the company’s takeover by retail giant, Tesco.
New national sales manager at Hamilton Acorn
12 October 2007
Norfolk-based paint applicator manufacturer Hamilton Acorn, has announced the appointment of Darrin Heathershaw as national sales manager.
BBC Good Homes and BBC Gardeners' World sponsor Britain's Best Marketing
12 October 2007
BBC Good Homes and BBC Gardeners’ World have announced they will once again be sponsors of awards organised by DIY Week.
Home Retail and Travis Perkins snap up Focus DIY stores
11 October 2007
Home Retail and Travis Perkins have bought 34 Focus DIY branches between them.
Security retailer closes its doors
11 October 2007
Castle Security Services in Newcastle, Staffordshire closed last week.
Stuart to blaze a trail for charity
11 October 2007
Stuart Blight garden centre manager at Hillier Hemel Hempstead will be cycling in support of the Macmillan cancer support on Friday, October 12.
Suttons seeds owner to sell up
11 October 2007
Vilmorin, the owner of Suttons, has announced it is to sell its seeds and garden products division after the results of a strategic review.
Argos launches viral online campaign
9 October 2007
Argos is promoting its largest ever catalogue with a viral campaign dominated by a giant sweet jar standing over two metres tall.
Irwin signs up as sponsor of Britain's Best Tool Retailer
9 October 2007
One of the UK’s best known tool manufacturers, Irwin, has signed up as a new sponsor for Britain’s Best Retailer Awards.
Focus on tools at London show
8 October 2007
The best names in tools will be gathered under one roof next January when they exhibit at Totally Tools and the DIY & Garden trade shows.
Swiss bathroom and kitchen business buys Aqualux
8 October 2007
The UK’s leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of bath screens and shower enclosures, Aqualux, has announced its acquisition by Swiss Group AFG Arbonia-Forster-Holdings AG.
Wyevale opens up the barn doors
8 October 2007
Wyevale has bought its third garden centre in a matter of weeks with the acquisition of Old Barn Nurseries in Horsham, Surrey.
Amefa buys Richardson Sheffield
8 October 2007
Richardson (Sheffield) has been purchased by Amefa UK, from the administrators, Ernst & Young for an undisclosed sum.
B&Q takes interior design online with 'room designer' service
8 October 2007
B&Q today unveiled its newly enhanced website, www.diy.com, with extended product ranges and intelligent new features.
Owners of Downtown Superstore and Garden Centre consider approach
4 October 2007
Lincolnshire site could fall into the hands of Conduit Skegness Limited.
Tesco Direct helps non-food sales remain 'robust'
3 October 2007
Despite the poor summer weather and cautious consumers Tesco says its non-food sales remained robust and again grew significantly faster than its core business – helped by a successful first full season for Tesco Direct.
Rapid discussing plans to offer a porter service
3 October 2007
Liverpool home improvement retailer wants to help shoppers unable to park near new premises planned for 2011.
GCA names its garden centres of excellence
3 October 2007
Annual audit of members reveals standards are as high as ever with 15 garden centres scoring over 84%.
Brands re-book for Glee 2008
3 October 2007
Big name garden industry suppliers such as The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Gardman, Finnforest, Town & Country, and Westland Horticulture have re-booked for Glee 2008.
Obituary: Henry Rizzo
2 October 2007
Prestons Cash & Carry in Manchester is very sad to announce the death of one of its employees.
Stax is on the move
2 October 2007
Over £11m to be invested in new Manchester site
Stone Cross Nurseries to relocate garden centre
1 October 2007
Sussex retailer moves back to original site.
Forest Garden closes Scottish assembly plant
1 October 2007
Forest Garden says it has moved to address the sawn timber supply issues experienced by the fencing industry by closing its assembly operations at Lockerbie.