News Archive December 2014
Bents Garden & Home helps out this Christmas
22 December 2014
Two colleague initiatives have brought smiles to the faces of children at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH) and people living on the streets in Manchester city centre.
The Range to open new store in Plymouth
19 December 2014
After much speculation The Range has confirmed that they will be opening a new store in Plymouth in early 2015.
House prices set to increase by 3%
19 December 2014
House prices in the UK will see an average increase of 3% over the course of next year, bolstered by recent changes to Stamp Duty, continuing demand and lack of supply of property, according to the RICS housing forecast for 2015.
Global DIY market reaches €399bn
18 December 2014
In 2013, the DIY/Home Improvement World Market turnover reached approximately €399 billion, according to Fediyma's World DIY Report.
Brighter housing market boosts Leekes sales and profits
16 December 2014
Home department store group Leekes delivered significant sales and profitability growth in the first six months of its financial year.
Gardenex arranges stand discount at Dubai show
16 December 2014
The Gardenex export federation has arranged a stand discount for its members wishing to exhibit at Dubai's Outdoor Design & Build Show in April.
GCA reveals more conference speakers
16 December 2014
The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has named three more speakers at its conference in January.
Online electrical market set for 37% growth
16 December 2014
Electrical products are increasingly being sourced online, both by contractors and end users, and as such the outlook for distribution via this type of channel remains positive.
The Ideal Home Show returns to Olympia London in 2015
16 December 2014
Britain's biggest consumer home event, the Ideal Home Show is to return to its original roots at Olympia London in March 2015.
Grafton Group acquires Crescent Building Supplies
16 December 2014
Grafton Group has acquired Crescent Building Supplies, an independent supplier of building materials trading from four branches in Ruislip, Hillingdon, Uxbridge and Maidenhead.
Choice Marketing growing stronger, AGM hears
16 December 2014
Members of buying and marketing organisation Choice Marketing attending their recent AGM heard that membership continues to grow, and that solid supplier relationships had been established following 2014's disruption in supply.
DIY Week Awards: Retailer silver winners announced
16 December 2014
Judging has taken place and the list of silver winners in the 2015 DIY Week Awards can now be revealed.
Dorset independent P&G Crocker wins Toolbank display award
16 December 2014
Independent retailers dominated the window display category in Toolbank's festive 2014 XMS promotion display competition - reflecting the fact that nearly all independent retailers have display windows, whereas most builders merchants do not, says Toolbank.
James W Inglis to receive Global DIY Lifetime Award
15 December 2014
The Boards of EDRA, fediyma and ghin have announced that James (Jim) W. Inglis has been selected to receive the Global DIY Lifetime Award for his unparalleled contribution to the global home improvement industry.
Van Hage garden centre backs out of Waitrose plan
15 December 2014
GCA picks best garden centre Christmas displays
15 December 2014
Thirteen Garden Centre Association (GCA) members have been named as having the best Christmas displays in their regions.
Rothley supports Carvers in re-build following fire
10 December 2014
Rothley, the Wolverhampton-based supplier of DIY and hardware products, has supplied local builders merchant Carvers Building Supplies with a full range of products as part of its redevelopment following a serious fire.
Growth opportunities stimulate debate at GIMA day conference
10 December 2014
Opportunities offered by exporting, online shopping, app-based selling tools, media events and marketing and charity initiatives generated enthusiastic interest from garden product suppliers at last month's Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) day conference.
Post-fire hardware shop attracts higher-spend customers
10 December 2014
Eastbourne hardware shop Trend DIY is anticipating a very merry Christmas, having experienced an unexpected new lease of life following a devastating fire this year.
Gardenex organises British pavilions at garden shows
10 December 2014
Gardenex, the export federation for the garden and leisure industry, is to organise British pavilions at two major overseas exhibitions next year.
Online tool retailer boosts customer finance offer
10 December 2014
Ecommerce tool specialist Toolstop has partnered with V12 Retail Finance to offer its customers more options when making online purchases.
Coulsdon Home Hardware triumphs in Christmas window contest
9 December 2014
Staff at Coulsdon Home Hardware are celebrating after the shop was pronounced the winner of this year's Home Hardware Christmas window dressing competition.
Podington Garden Centre brings Wyevale estate to 144
8 December 2014
Wyevale Garden Centres has added Podington Garden Centre, in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, to its rapidly-growing estate.
Glee reverts to Monday-to-Wednesday format
8 December 2014
Glee is abandoning its return to Sunday opening and as of next year will run from a Monday to Wednesday.
What More launches into the bakeware market
3 December 2014
What More UK, the Lancashire-based manufacturer of plastic housewares, storage products and garden products, is to enter the bakeware market.
SDEA takes over ISO
3 December 2014
The Shop and Display Equipment Association (SDEA) will take over the International Shopfitting Organisation (ISO) on January 1, 2015.
Whitefurze expands into new warehouse space
3 December 2014
As part of an ongoing programme of investment, UK manufacturer Whitefurze has opened a second state-of-the-art warehouse in Coventry.
Black Friday lifts John Lewis to new sales high
2 December 2014
Black Friday helped deliver the biggest-ever week for sales in John Lewis's 150-year trading history.
Axminster North Shields opening launches major expansion
2 December 2014
Devon-based tool retailer Axminster Tool Centre is kicking off an ambitious expansion plan with the announcement that it is to open a new store in the north east, at North Shields.
DIY Week Awards shortlist revealed
2 December 2014
With the judging of the products in the 2015 DIY Week Awards now complete, DIY Week is proud to announce the Silver winners across all eight categories.
Hard landscaping remained top seller in October
1 December 2014
Garden centre customers were still getting out in their gardens in October according to the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) latest figures.
Tesco kitchen supplier Mark Two goes into administration
1 December 2014
Kitchen and bathroom specialist Mark Two Distributors has gone into administration, two weeks after
Tesco pulled the plug on its business with the company.
Landscaping materials supplier Deco-Pak has donated time and resources to help the Greenfingers charity with further improvements to the Forget-Me-Not hospice garden in Huddersfield.