News Archive January 2015
Sainsburys to offer Argos digital stores in its supermarkets
30 January 2015
Homebase and Argos parent Home Retail Group has teamed up with the UK's second largest grocer Sainsbury's to open 10 new Argos digital stores within existing Sainsbury's supermarkets.
Big changes at Earlswood Plants
29 January 2015
Customers and suppliers of Earlswood Plants in Solihull are being assured that there will be a seamless transfer of business when the firm goes into dormancy this month.
The GCA announces the nation's top garden centres at its awards
29 January 2015
The winners of the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) annual awards were announced at its conference this week.
B&Q fined over health and safety breach
29 January 2015
A B&Q store in Greater London has been fined £65,000 for failing to meet health and safety standards in the workplace, following an investigation by Hillingdon Council's food health and safety team.
Restructure at Scotts
29 January 2015
A restructure within the international Scotts business means the UK division will report directly to the US but results in the departure of vice president Martin Breddy.
DHF membership hits all-time high
29 January 2015
The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has welcomed its 300th member, as its drive to increase levels of quality, compliance, training and safety in the industry continues.
William Sinclair shoots latest ads on location in South Africa
27 January 2015
William Sinclair Horticulture has finished location shooting in South Africa of the launch TV commercials for its new tomato planter and weedkiller spray.
Police assistance required: help identify this tool
26 January 2015
Wiltshire Police are asking for help in identifying the make and age of a shovel linked to a murder investigation. Can you help?
Fiskars UK relocates to Birmingham
23 January 2015
Garden tool and scissor brand Fiskars, which recently celebrated 365 years, has chosen Birmingham as its new UK office location.
BIRA Direct achieves record trading year
22 January 2015
The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) says 2014 was nothing short of a sensation for BIRA Direct and the independent retailers it supplied with product during the year.
Shop theft reaches 10-year peak
22 January 2015
The impact of theft on UK retailers has reached its highest level in a decade.
Rising competition delivers disappointing year for Wm Sinclair
20 January 2015
Growing media supplier William Sinclair today described the 12 months to September 30 2014 as "disappointing", as it released its results for the year.
Two more stores for The Range
20 January 2015
The Range is set to open its newest store next week.
Garden centre customers wrapped up in December
20 January 2015
Clothing was the biggest seller at garden centres in December, according to the Garden Centre Association (GCA).
Wm Sinclair appoints Decco as national distributor
20 January 2015
William Sinclair has signed a national distribution agreement with wholesaler Decco covering the company's J Arthur Bower's, Growing Success, New Horizon and Deadfast brands.
Tesco/Dobbies East Kilbride joint venture scrapped
19 January 2015
Toolstation opens two new branches in Greater London
19 January 2015
One of Britain's fastest-growing suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies, has opens two new branches in the Greater London areas of Sydenham and Isleworth today.
Poundland teams with Tommy Walsh for DIY launch
19 January 2015
Discount retailer Poundland is partnering with celebrity builder and DIY expert Tommy Walsh for the launch of a new range of DIY essentials.
Christmas period like-for-like sales up at Homebase and Argos
15 January 2015
Like-for-like sales at Homebase were up 0.6% in the 18 weeks to January 3 2015, although the programme of store closures resulted in total sales declining by 2.7% to £451m.
The Range confirms new store in St Austell
14 January 2015
The Range is to take on the site currently occupied by Buyology at Stadium Retail Park in St Austell, Cornwall.
Half of homeowners plan renovations in 2015
14 January 2015
An overwhelming majority (94%) of UK homeowners would rather spend money improving their current home than sell up and move on, suggests new research.
December brings shoppers out in force
13 January 2015
Non-food shopping trips in December were up 2.7% on December 2013, but much of the rise was down to post-Christmas sales, exchanges and returns.
US housewares brand comes to UK
12 January 2015
Multi-category US housewares brand Polder Housewares has opened operations in the UK.
BHETA to host Meet the Buyer day with Argos
12 January 2015
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is set to team up with UK multi-channel retailer Argos for another of its Meet the Buyer days.
Trago Mills marks half a century of business
12 January 2015
South-west discount chain Trago Mills is set to celebrate its 50th birthday in 2015 and is planning several special promotions and activities across the year.
Totally's top indies offered place at DIY Week Awards
12 January 2015
In a new initiative for the 2015 Totally shows the organising team has put together a new hospitality package aimed at 2014's top-spending independents.
TP director to speak at BHETA forum
8 January 2015
Travis Perkins group commercial director Ian Preedy will speak at the next British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) member forum on January 15
Glee has already sold 68% of space
8 January 2015
The new-look show proved a hit, as well over half of space is already sold, with a host of brands making a return to exhibit in September 15.
Scotts van man hits a road near you
7 January 2015
To celebrate the New Year and the start of the gardening season, the Scotts sales team is hitting the road in style.
Topps' Q1 sales rise 6% like for like
7 January 2015
Topps Tiles achieved a 6% rise in like-for-like revenues in its first quarter, the company said today, although growth slowed from the 9.3% of the same period last year.
Keynote speaker named for BIRA conference
6 January 2015
Customer service specialist Andrew McMillan, formerly of John Lewis, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the British Independent Retailers Association's (BIRA) 2015 High Street Conference.
Former Golden Acres md plans 10 new-build garden centres
6 January 2015
Exclusively shows ramp up exhibitor line-up
6 January 2015
This year will mark a step change for Exclusively Housewares as it opens for the first time alongside new show Exclusively Electrical.
Vitax acquires Organico to boost natural product offer
6 January 2015
Vitax has extended its organic product range by purchasing Organico, manufacturer of 6x 100% natural fertiliser and pellets and the Groworganic brand.
Garden centres' November beats 2013
6 January 2015
Christmas and catering brought festive cheer to garden centres in November, with sales in those categories well up on those of November 2013.
Comedian Justin Moorhouse to host GCA awards
6 January 2015
Kingfisher sells B&Q China stake for £140m
5 January 2015
Kingfisher plc announced an agreement to sell controlling stake in its B&Q China business
Wyevale GC takes four more with Golden Acres deal
5 January 2015
Wyevale Garden Centres (WGC) has added another four garden centres to its estate with the acquisition of Dorset-based Golden Acres Group.
John Lewis delivers in a 'logistics Christmas'
5 January 2015
Online sales and click and collect delivered a bumper Christmas for John Lewis, the retailer revealed today.
2015 Axminster catalogue has 10,000 lines
5 January 2015
Axminster Tools & Machinery says its free 2015 catalogue offers the largest range of tools, machinery, accessories and consumables in the UK.
Mica boosts DIY in Stoke on Trent with new shop opening
5 January 2015
Stoke on Trent has a new DIY shop, and the Mica cooperative group of DIY independents has a new member, with the opening of Shelton Mica DIY & Home.
Programme announced for 3rd Global DIY summit
5 January 2015
The line-up of speakers for the Global DIY Summit, set to take place in London on June 11-12, has been revealed, boasting representatives from Retail Google, leading suppliers, and international home improvement retailers.