Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive January 2008

TV builder helps Wickes launch fundraising campaign 31 January 2008
Chocoholics ‘go without’ to raise money for Leukaemia Research

New appointment at Typhoon 31 January 2008
Hector Hui hired as head of quality control for homewares manufacturer.

Notcutts staff a cut above 29 January 2008
Staff at Notcutts’ Norwich branch have been named “Brains of Norwich”.

B&Q goes after the grey pound 27 January 2008
B&Q will shortly unveil a new range aimed entirely at attracting a market of 25 million over-fifties.

Kingfisher appoints Ian Cheshire as group chief executive 25 January 2008
B&Q ceo replaces outgoing Gerry Murphy with effect from January 28, 2008.

BHETA links up with Interbuild 25 January 2008
Interbuild is offering a discount to British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) members who want to exhibit at its show in October.

Plasti-kote emphasises the importance of online presence 25 January 2008
An interactive, informative and consumer-focussed virtual shop-front makes a significant difference, claims the paint-spray manufacturer.

JML buys two shopping channels from Sky 25 January 2008
JML has purchased two television shopping channels from Sky’s electronic programming guide (EPG).

Topps secures ad deal with ITV 24 January 2008
Campaign to run three times a week after the national news.

New management appointments at Toolbank 23 January 2008
Toolbank has appointed Phil Corby as its new logistics director.

B&Q to stop selling patio heaters 23 January 2008
B&Q has followed the lead of Wyevale and announced that it is to stop selling patio heaters at its 325 UK stores.

Wickes is diy's number one for customer service 21 January 2008
Customers appreciate range depth and customer service initiatives, study finds.

Briwax back in control of Bollom family 21 January 2008
After a turbulent 12 months, woodcare specialist, Briwax, is back in the hands of the Bollom family.

Conference gets new headline sponsor 21 January 2008
HousewaresLive.net and Housewares Magazine are very pleased to announce that Gilberts Food Equipment is the latest company to sign up as a sponsor of the brand new Housewares Conference.

Sarum pleased with visitor numbers to annual trade show 21 January 2008
Visitors impressed with quality of products on offer - and food, says Sarum partner John Mouland.

Organiser buoyant despite fall in show numbers 18 January 2008
DIY & Garden Show & Totally Tools organiser, Brintex, was bullish today despite announcing a lower attendance to this year’s event compared with 2007.

Ceo to quit as Flying Brands issues profit warning 18 January 2008
Jersey-based home shopping group, Flying Brands, has issued a profit warning and announced the imminent departure of its chief executive.

Duddy joins clamour for cut in interest rates 18 January 2008
It feels like like 1995, he tells shareholders.

Home Retail predicting full-year profits near expectations 17 January 2008
Argos maintains momentum, Homebase continues sluggish performance in the 18 weeks to January 5, 2008.

Industry Awards 2008 now open for entries 17 January 2008
The Industry Awards is now accepting entries for its 2008 competition from companies and individuals involved in the manufacture of diy, garden, and housewares products.

Woolworths predicts return to profit 17 January 2008
Struggling high street retailer, Woolworths, has announced that it will return to profitability in the current year.

Toolbank strengthens product team 15 January 2008
Tool wholesaler, Toolbank, has strengthened its product team with a number of top management changes.

DIY Dinner raises £32,000 for Rainy Day Trust 15 January 2008
This year’s DIY Dinner, which took place at the Royal Garden Hotel, London, during the DIY & Garden Show and Totally Tools at Earls Court, raised an estimated £32,000 for the Rainy Day Trust, the trade charity of the home improvement industry.

Best new products recognised at show 14 January 2008
Faithfull, Everbuild, ASP, Blackfriar and Laser Tools headed the winners list in this year’s awards for the best new products on display at the DIY & Garden Show and Totally Tools.

Jump at the chance to go to the races 14 January 2008
BHETA and the Rainy Day Trust have taken an executive box with a private viewing balcony for 50 people at Towcester Racecourse for the evening race meeting on Thursday, June 19.

GIMA announces awards date 14 January 2008
GIMA used the DIY & Garden Show and Totally Tools to announce details of its 2008 awards.

French suppliers showcase products at show 13 January 2008
A delegation of French diy manufacturers have a stand at the DIY Show for the first time.

BHF announces winners and new name 13 January 2008
The BHF Group presented its annual awards at the DIY Show - and announced a change of name.

Eyes on diy start their blogs 11 January 2008
DIY Week's three bloggers - Andrew Weiss, James Murray, and Peter Wilson - give their views on the run-up to the DIY & Garden Show.

William Sinclair buys Joseph Metcalf 10 January 2008
William Sinclair Holdings has bought Joseph Metcalf, who supplies the Gem brand of horticultural lines, for £2.95m cash.

Former Matalan ceo joins What More UK 10 January 2008
It’s exciting times for What More UK as Angus Monro, latterly ceo of Matalan and Instore, becomes non-executive chairman.

Hodkinson takes helm as Stevenson leaves 9 January 2008
Wyevale Garden Centres has parted company with its chief executive, Barry Stevenson and installed chairman, Jim Hodkinson, in his place.

Topps Tiles positive in 'persistently tough' market 8 January 2008
Topps Tiles has reported slower like-for-like sales growth in the first 13 weeks of its new financial year.

Dunelm bucks retail trend 8 January 2008
Housewares retailer, Dunelm, has bucked the trend and reported an increase in like-for-like (lfl) sales for the 26 weeks to December 29.

Tor Coatings acquires Bollom Fire Protection 8 January 2008
Paint and adhesives manufacturer, Tor Coatings, has made its first acquisition since joining the American giant, RPM, last year.

BRC paints gloomy picture of Christmas 2007 8 January 2008
BRC figures show retailers have had worst Christmas for growth for three years.

Diyweek.net offers most complete show coverage 7 January 2008
The DIY & Garden Show and Totally Tools is the UK’s key trade event for diy – and diyweek.net will be bringing you all the news as it happens.

DIY and Garden Show and Totally Tools 7 January 2008
Essential information - a travel guide to the show.

Decco open day features 30 suppliers 7 January 2008
Highlights include decorative, and gardening products, and new-look Fair and Square promotions.

Screwfix packs latest catalogue with new brands 7 January 2008
Rawlplug, Siemens, Trend, and Tacwise added to product line-up.

Build your business! Save the date! 7 January 2008
John Lewis buying director confirmed for The Housewares Conference.

Marshalls remains bullish on full-year expectations 7 January 2008
Strong demand in the public sector and commercial markets help group.

Trans-Continental Group adds staff 7 January 2008
Supplier creates three new roles to meet demand.

One-off deals offered at show 7 January 2008
As an incentive to visitors to this week’s DIY & Garden Show and Totally Tools, exhibitors have been encouraged to offer irresistible one-off deals.

Akzo Nobel takeover of ICI completed 4 January 2008
The long-running takeover of one of Britain’s most famous companies has been completed.

Grafton Group sees turnover grow by 10% 4 January 2008
Irish and UK builders merchants and diy group, Grafton plc, has reported a 10% increase in turnover to over €3.2bn (£2.4m) for the last year.

Kingfisher biggest loser in shares tailspin 3 January 2008
Kingfisher has been the worst blue chip performer after a gloomy outlook statement from Next and a profit warning from DSG International – the owner of Currys – today sent shares in the retail sector into a tailspin.

Man arrested after fire destroys Jegs depot 3 January 2008
A 26-year-old man from Grays, Essex, has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a devastating fire at a warehouse of the electrical distributor, Jegs.

GIMA director Gow dismisses GRO intitiative 3 January 2008
Calls for suppliers and retailers to discuss the buying group in some depth.

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