News Archive September 2007
Another mild winter forecast by the Met Office
28 September 2007
This winter is forecast to be warmer and perhaps drier than average, according to predictions by the UK's national weather service.
Earlex sponsors Britain's Best DIY Superstore Manager
28 September 2007
Earlex is delighted to be involved as a sponsor of the 2007 Britain's Best Retailer Awards for the second year running.
Screwfix sales continue to grow
28 September 2007
First half results for the trade outlet show it growing from strength to strength after a 30.3% increase in sales to over £200 million.
Garden industry heavweights to present at GIMA business meeting
27 September 2007
Garden Industry Manufacturers Association has assembled some of the garden industries high-profile names for its autumn business meeting.
Strong September for diy, hardware and floorcoverings
27 September 2007
The balance of retailers reporting sales ahead in September was 12%, according to the CBI's distributive trades survey.
Brewers opens first Birmingham branch
27 September 2007
A significant landmark in the growth of Brewers, the independent decorators’ merchant, has been announced – with the opening of the company’s first Birmingham branch from the beginning of October.
New appointments at Dobbies
27 September 2007
Three Tesco executive managers given board positions at Dobbies.
Profits rise at William Sinclair
27 September 2007
Company restructuring paying dividends as group profits rise 72% for the year ending June 30, 2007.
Topps delights
26 September 2007
The tile retailer has pleased the markets with a forecast indicating sales for the 52 weeks to September 30 are likely to be 15% ahead.
B&Q launches Handyman service
25 September 2007
B&Q has launched its own Handyman service prompted, the retailer says, by 42% of homeowners who have said they would rather ask someone else for help.
Profits rise for Kingfisher
20 September 2007
B&Q delivers 5% rise in sales while the international division generates 14% increase.
Wyevale buys Peter Barratt’s Garden Centres
20 September 2007
Sir Tom Hunter has splashed out more from his £50m war chest of cash to buy north east based Peter Barratt’s Garden Centres.
Getting to the bottom of water efficiency at Glee
19 September 2007
Eye-catching product offered visitors a comical solution to water shortages.
Team up with Johnsons
19 September 2007
As part of a new initiative to get kids outdoors and playing sport, Johnsons Lawn Seeds is donating rugby balls to local schools and youth organisations.
Diy industry £20m up on last year
19 September 2007
Increase in sales suggests the market is experiencing more than just a short-term revival
Image revamp for B&Q
19 September 2007
B&Q is to unveil its move to attract more female diyers with new branding and a series of tv adverts.
Record results at Dunelm Mill
19 September 2007
The homewares retailer posted record results and profits with sales for the year to June 30 surging 7.8%.
BeefEater’s got the golden touch
18 September 2007
Australian barbecue manufacturer celebrates its name in print with a gold-plated grill.
Webbs showcase's success to world
18 September 2007
Webbs, the award-winning garden centre is being showcased to international leaders in the world-wide gardening industry.
DIY Week raises more money for Rainy Day Trust
18 September 2007
Annual summer sale generates £1,100 for the industry charity.
Glee New Products Awards winners
17 September 2007
A new tree for small gardens and a global tracking system for dogs were among the launches which were singled out for praise on the opening day of Glee yesterday.
Profits rise predicted for Kingfisher
17 September 2007
B&Q's parent company, Kingfisher, is expected to report a 3% increase in first half-year profits on Thursday.
AHS Direct helps dwindling hedgehog numbers
14 September 2007
AHS Direct, the East Sussex-based online provider of home and garden supplies has launched a national Help a Hedgehog Campaign
Major tool launches at Toolbank shows
14 September 2007
Visitors treated to product showcases from big industry names
New sales and marketing role for Bissell's Gary Clowes
13 September 2007
Bissell’s Gary Clowes has been promoted to the position of UK general sales and marketing manager, reporting to Charles Gordon the company’s international markets director.
Oarsman Weiss raises £8,000 for charity
13 September 2007
Isaac Lord md Andrew Weiss has raised £8,000 for the Rainy Day Trust, the industry charity, with a storming performance in the Great River Race on the Thames on September 8.
Knights embraces internet age with new-look website
13 September 2007
Knights Garden Centre is launching a new-look website in a bid to build on its telephone ordering system.
Homebase tees off for charity
13 September 2007
25 leading Homebase suppliers took part in the first ever Homebase charity golf day at Woburn Golf Club on Friday September 7
B&Q strikes advertising deal with BBC Gardeners World
12 September 2007
Retail chain agrees to be an advertising partner for the launch of the website.
Home Retail reports rise at Argos, fall at Homebase
12 September 2007
Wet weather benefits Argos, but discourages shoppers at the the home enhancement retailer.
ICI to celebrate with Britain's Best as it adds its name to sponsors list
12 September 2007
DIY Week is pleased to announce the sponsorship of Britain's Best Retailer Awards by ICI.
All change at Sigma Kalon
11 September 2007
Managing director to retire
Pet crazy Brits ruled by their animals
11 September 2007
1.5 million owners admit their pets rule the household and schedule their lives around the cat or dog
Homeowners driven crazy protecting parking spaces
11 September 2007
New research from Halifax Estate Agents reveals just how particular Brits are about their parking space.
Black Country Metalworks takes over Richardsons
11 September 2007
In what the company describes as a positive move, Black Country Metalworks has acquired giftware supplier Richardsons.
Bootcamp workshop finds innovation is key to garden centre retailing
10 September 2007
Garden centres need to innovate constantly, senior industry figures at a bootcamp style workshop reveal.
Crown uses seasonal theme to target female shoppers
10 September 2007
With summer almost over and autumn just around the corner, paint manufacturer Crown is to hit the pre-season rush for interior home decoration with a new advertising campaign following a seasonal fashion theme.
Expect more garden centre deals soon, property consultant tells DIY Week
10 September 2007
Garden centre acquisitions will continue to grow apace over the next few weeks and months, a property consultant has told diyweek.net
All-In-One dismisses sale talk
10 September 2007
All-In-One Garden Centre has spoken out against talk that the Rochdale business is for sale.
Gorleston Godfrey DIY is to finally close its doors
7 September 2007
The Gorleston branch of Godfrey DIY is to close this weekend after trading in the Norfolk town for 21 years.
Dobbies Sheffield to open next week
7 September 2007
Dobbies’ latest Garden World retail emporium is to open next weekend in Barlborough Links, Sheffield.
Facelift helps UHM grow membership
7 September 2007
United Housewares Merchants has added Huelin (Agencies) Limited to its members list, taking the total to 13.
Sponsors sign up for Britain’s Best Retailer Awards 2007
7 September 2007
The fifth annual Britain's Best Retailer Awards is pleased to announce the continuing support from the diy, garden, and housewares industries leading brands.
Stax makes it five in a row
7 September 2007
Stax has reinforced its commitment to retail excellence with its continuing support for Britain’s Best Retailer Awards 2007 – now in its fifth year.
Decco supports Britain's Best Retailer Award for the fourth consecutive year
7 September 2007
Decco is to continue to recognise the achievements of diy, hardware and housewares retailers, through Britain’s Best Retailer Awards 2007.
Third year and counting for Sterling
7 September 2007
Phoenix Security Products, has announced it is to sponsor Britain’s Best Security Retailer for the third consecutive year.
Wade Ceramics returns as Britain’s Best Cookshop sponsor
7 September 2007
The organisers of Britain’s Best Retailer Awards are pleased to announce the return of Wade Ceramics – sponsors of Britain’s Best Cookshop.
Another year of sponsorship for Brintex
7 September 2007
Brintex has confirmed another year of support for Britain’s Best Retailer Awards.
Comedian to host Britain's Best Retailer Awards
7 September 2007
Writer and comedian Bob Mills is to host Britain’s Best Retailer Awards 2007.
Fairfax announces first year sponsorship
7 September 2007
Fairfax has announced its sponsorship of the coffee in the prestigious Britain’s Best Retailer Awards.
Sunflex adds name to list of Sponsors
7 September 2007
Sunflex is supporting Britain's Best Retailer Awards 2007 with sponsorship of Britain's Best Decorative category.
Focus DIY closures gather pace
7 September 2007
In the last few days Focus DIY has earmarked three under-performing stores for sale or closure.
New 'bigger and better' store for Dunelm Mill
6 September 2007
Dunelm Mill is to open a 'bigger and better' store in Peterborough promising customers a larger range of goods for the home.
Muelller Primaflow names new board
6 September 2007
Mueller Primaflow has announced its new board of directors – with four of the members sharing the same christian name.
Homebase charity partners to receive over £10,000 from golf fundraiser
6 September 2007
Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Irish Cancer Society, the official charity partners of Homebase, are set to benefit from a fundraising golf event taking place at Woburn Golf Club this Friday, September 7.
Kurawood to float on AIM
5 September 2007
Kurawood has announced it plans to float on AIM, the alternative investment market.
Lean, Clean and Keen
3 September 2007
Grange and their sister company Britannia Garden Products have been keen advocates of responsible sourcing for a number of years, supporting the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) from their early days.
Future of energy efficient halogen bulbs looks bright
3 September 2007
With autumn just weeks away, Osram is set to make significant inroads into the light bulb market with the introduction of energy-efficient halogen bulbs.
Nothing beats good service and the family touch, says C C Clements & Sons
3 September 2007
Ironmongers C C Clements & Son has been in business since 1875, and owner Mr George Squires says there’s no beating an old-fashioned, traditional approach to retailing.
It's a 'good move' for Sanders, says Burks
3 September 2007
Managing director believes the garden centre's customers will benefit under new ownership
Sanders Garden World brought into Wyevale fold - UPDATE
1 September 2007
A spokesperson for Sanders Garden World has confirmed reports that the Somerset garden centre has been bought by Wyevale.
Alba shareholders approve sale of leisure division
1 September 2007
Alba shareholders have approved the sale of the leisure division's brands to private equity partnership Rutland Partners.