News Archive March 2008
Barton Grange finally opens doors
28 March 2008
Customers praise new £15m centre.
Sanders GardenWorld unveils expansion plans
28 March 2008
Wyevale-owned Sanders GardenWorld unveiled its plans for a proposed extension at an open evening for members of the public recently (March 25).
Barbecue market worth over £6.7 billion
28 March 2008
Alfresco eating as popular as ever despite wettest summer for 250 years.
Group sales up, profits down at Kingfisher
27 March 2008
Cheshire announces management changes as consumer uncertainties hit full-year profits.
Topps: increasing challenges ahead
26 March 2008
Economic backdrop makes for a tough consumer market, warns the chief executive.
Rawlplug to move production overseas
25 March 2008
Owners look to make savings.
Fair & Square member scoops £1,000
25 March 2008
Dorset retailer wins free stock in prize draw.
KSD Wholesale shuts the door
25 March 2008
After ten and a half years KSD Wholesale has been forced to shut the door, writes Stuart Dick.
Wyevale joins forces with WRAP to give compost tips
25 March 2008
Wyevale Garden Centres has teamed up with WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) to offer free advice and tips to visitors at a selection of its garden centres nationwide during April and May.
Royle visit for former Sefton Meadows Garden Centre
25 March 2008
It’s not every day that you get a member of the Royle family opening a garden centre in Maghull and yet on Good Friday that’s exactly what happened.
Kingfisher to cut dividend
22 March 2008
Kingfisher is expected to cut its dividend by up to 50%.
Klondyke to oppose Dobbies' plans for Orton Grange site
21 March 2008
Garden centre needs are already being met says chairman.
Rob Cissell joins Wal-Mart
20 March 2008
Robert Dyas ceo to lead US retailer's expansion in China.
Book now or miss out!
20 March 2008
Retailers from John Lewis, Selfridges and Cargo to independent cookshops, hardware stores, wholesalers and garden centre buyers will hear the industry's leading lights make their predictions and share their knowledge and advice at the first ever Housewares Conference - are you?
Barton Grange to miss Easter opening
20 March 2008
'Early next week,' a spokesperson says.
Retail sales: too early to call
20 March 2008
With an early Easter, March and April together should give a clearer picture of underlying demand levels, say retail analysts.
HTA introduces Bill to relax Sunday trading laws
19 March 2008
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has introduced a Bill in the House of Lords to amend the Sunday Trading Act 1994 and extend the hours garden centres can trade on Sunday.
Charlie Dimmock launches national search with Ronseal
19 March 2008
Celebrity gardener, Charlie Dimmock, will makeover nation’s worst beer gardens with Eco woodcare.
Easter week worth £8bn to retailers
19 March 2008
The eight days of Easter 2008 are expected to be worth £8 billion to UK retailers, up 3% on last year.
Easy Gardener teams up with Wyevale to launch new Eco range
19 March 2008
Wyevale will present an exclusive Easy Gardener collection to consumers at the end of March.
Wyevale offers plant pot recycling facility
18 March 2008
Wyevale Garden Centres has announced ‘Plan Apple’ – its first action in the company’s programme to address the key environmental issues facing the garden industry.
Dobbies lodges plans for £10m centre in Carlisle
18 March 2008
Orton Grange site forms part of expansion plans for 2008.
Think Tank predicts poor Easter numbers
18 March 2008
Shoppers could be down 5.2% on Easter 2007, it warns.
William Sinclair sees opportunities ahead
18 March 2008
Group says growth is well into its second phase.
Homebase adds Eco paint range
18 March 2008
Retailer continues to build up Eco Home.
Former Bryon chief executive looking forward to retirement
17 March 2008
'I have three lovely grandchildren, a very close family, and a wonderful husband who is also retired plus a house in France. What more could anyone want?'
Month of change for Sterling Locks
17 March 2008
March heralds change of name, livery, and introduction of new products.
Castle Gardens’ team opens the doors within 48 hours of fire
17 March 2008
Prompt actions and support of trade helps centre.
Focus advertising account up for grabs
17 March 2008
Chain invites eight agencies to pitch.
Plumbworld founder launches power tool website
15 March 2008
Plumbworld expects to make a 'serious assault' on the online market with www.toolbox.co.uk
Tough year for Flying Brands
15 March 2008
Challenges ahead, but exciting plans for 2008 says chairman.
B&Q fined £20,000 for hot tub breach
14 March 2008
The diy retailer pleads guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Email marketing approach from B&Q
14 March 2008
'Root and branch' review to help build strong relationships with customers.
DIY & Home Enhancement Suppliers Charity Shoot - June 5
14 March 2008
Leading retailers including B&Q, B&Q Trade, Screwfix, Focus, Stax, Trago Mills, Wickes, confirm attendence.
Homebase sales on the slide
13 March 2008
Homebase continues to be the problem child in the Home Retail family, with a like-for-like sales decline of 5.3% for the eight weeks to March 1.
DIY & Garden Show/Totally Tools announces prize winner
13 March 2008
David Bunce, md of Bunces Home Hardware wins two return flights to Las Vegas.
Decco announces launch of 2008 catalogue
13 March 2008
New 2008 catalogue now available!
Green is the colour of Darling's first budget
12 March 2008
Chancellor announces measures to tackle climate change.
Marshalls invests in Display Centres for future growth
10 March 2008
The group is keen on unlocking the potential of the landscape market.
Rentokil facing demotion from FTSE
10 March 2008
Rentokil Initial is facing the prospect of being removed from London's FTSE 100 Index.
Byron wins contract with Makro
10 March 2008
Leading electrical accessories specialist, Byron, has won a major new contract with cash and carry giant, Makro.
Upward sales trend continues at Screwfix
10 March 2008
Fourth quarter results for Screwfix showed sales growth of 24.0% to £110 million in the 13 weeks ending February 2, 2008.
Knockout deals at Decco McMinn Chesham trade show
10 March 2008
New products, an awards presentation, and a charity fundraiser were the order of the day at the recent Decco McMinn trade show at the prestigious Kempton Park Racecourse.
Adams to remain as president of EDRA
10 March 2008
Secretariat confirms he will stay for the foreseeable future
Koelnmesse returns as Industry Awards sponsor
10 March 2008
Koelnmesse sponsors both the Garden Tools and Hand Tools categories at this year’s Industry Awards.
JML branches into Europe
8 March 2008
British consumer products brand JML is to expand into Europe.
Artex and Tetrion tie up for 2008
8 March 2008
Artex has been appointed distributor in the homecare/decorative market for the famous Tetrion brand.
Further changes at Kingfisher businesses
7 March 2008
Kingfisher's Brico Depot chiefs to step down
Business Meeting includes GIMA annual meeting
5 March 2008
The annual meeting of the Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) will take place on Thursday, March 13 before its regular Business Meeting.
Travis Perkins profits up to £261.4m
4 March 2008
Wickes parent company, Travis Perkins (TP), has announced an 18.7% increase in pre-tax profits, but warned of a slowdown in market growth.
Adams to leave Kingfisher
2 March 2008
George Adams, chief executive of Kingfisher's trade division is to leave the group at the end of March.