News Archive January 2016
GCA winners announced
28 January 2016
The winners of the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) annual awards were announced at its conference in Brighton this week.
Tesco apologises over abuse of suppliers
27 January 2016
Tesco has conceded that some of its past practices have been "both unsustainable and harmful to our suppliers".
Crowders Garden Centre becomes Wyevale GC's 153rd
27 January 2016
Wyevale Garden Centres (WGC) announced today that it has acquired Crowders Garden Centre of Horncastle, Lincolnshire, bringing its estate to 153 centres across England and Wales.
Usdaw union seeks talks with new Homebase owner
26 January 2016
Shopworkers trade union Usdaw is looking to have urgent talks with Wesfarmers, the new owner of Homebase.
2016 lawn care challenges 'can be overcome'
26 January 2016
After exceptionally difficult weather conditions in December which are likely to challenge the success of this year's lawn care category, retailers are being urged to provide additional support and reassurance to customers.
Delivery firm DX boosts click-and-collect convenience
26 January 2016
Logistics and parcel distribution company DX has announced the launch of DX Parcel Exchange, which allows consumers to collect their internet deliveries from over 1,000 convenient locations nationwide.
New blogging platform launched to boost gardening
26 January 2016
A host of high-profile personalities is getting behind a new initiative to promote gardening.
Kingfisher outlines plans for £500m profit boost
25 January 2016
Kingfisher said this morning that it aims to deliver a £500m annual uplift in profit after five years, over and above its 'business as usual' profit.
Garden centre concession Brantano in administration
25 January 2016
Value shoe retailer Brantano UK, which had been expanding its presence in garden centres, has gone into administration.
Axe swings at Asda head office
21 January 2016
Hundreds of jobs could be at risk at the supermarket chain's head office in Leeds on the back of poor performance over the Christmas period.
Bunnings clinches Homebase deal
18 January 2016
Home Retail Group (HRG) confirmed today that it has signed an agreement to sell its Homebase business to leading Australian home improvement and outdoor living chain Bunnings.
Australian Woolworths calls time on Bunnings rival Masters
18 January 2016
Lincs town loses hardware and tabletop shops
18 January 2016
Two long-standing retail businesses in Stamford, Lincolnshire - a hardware store and its partner tabletop shop - are closing down.
Luxury looks and practical needs boost bathrooms
18 January 2016
As more people invest in better quality products, the bathroom market is estimated to have grown by around 5% last year.
Wyevale acquires Woodcote Green Garden Centre
15 January 2016
Wyevale Garden Centres (WGC) announced today it has acquired Woodcote Green Garden Centre, based in Wallington, Surrey.
Bunnings parent makes £340m bid for Homebase
14 January 2016
Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers Limited (Wesfarmers), which owns the Bunnings chain, confirms it has made a conditional offer to acquire Homebase from Home Retail Group plc for £340m (around AUS $699m).
Book your place at the DIY Week Awards
14 January 2016
With the industry awards event just over a month away, don't miss out on your chance to celebrate the successes of top retailers and innovative suppliers, as well as networking with peers from across the DIY, home and market.
Impetus swings away from DIY, back to merchants
13 January 2016
Builders' and plumbers' merchants saw a strong recovery in 2013 and 2014, reversing the trend for householders to turn away from larger projects and towards DIY.
End of the road for Lincoln's Biggers of Bailgate
13 January 2016
Prominent Lincoln cookshop Biggers of Bailgate is to shut up shop for good - only one year after celebrating its 70th anniversary.
Garden centre fraudster told to pay money back
12 January 2016
A court has ordered a former garden centre director who robbed her business to repay it £125,000.
Sainsbury's 'preparing formal bid for HRG'
11 January 2016
Undeterred by its rejection at the end of last year, Sainsbury's is reportedly now poised to make a formal offer for Argos, Homebase and Habitat parent Home Retail Group (HRG).
GIMA introduces HR and employment mentoring services
11 January 2016
The Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) has expanded its member benefits with the introduction of the new HR and employment mentoring services.
December boost tops off strong 2015 for consumer spend
11 January 2016
Consumer spending increased solidly in December, with e-commerce the clear winner over Christmas.
John Lewis Christmas sales rise 6.9%
6 January 2016
John Lewis Partnership (JLP) said today that it had enjoyed a strong Christmas, underpinned by significant investment in its distribution and IT capability.
Which? slams composition of leading-brand composts
6 January 2016
Consumer organisation Which? has described some top-name composts as "shocking" after asking a specialist lab to analyse the composition of some of the worst-performing products in its latest seed sowing and young plants trials.
BHETA backs Totally Innovation Zone again
6 January 2016
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is to repeat its support for the Innovation Zone at the Totally DIY Exhibition next month.
Showa gardening gloves are Which? Best Buys
6 January 2016
Globus' Showa gardening gloves have achieved two of the three Which? Gardening Best Buys awarded to lightweight garden gloves.
Tildenet acquires Bosmere
6 January 2016
Tildenet Ltd, a long-established supplier of products to the gardening industry, professional markets and industrial users, has announced the acquisition of Bosmere Products Ltd.
Topps Tiles up 4.4% in Q1
6 January 2016
Topps Tiles said today that it had made "an encouraging start to the financial year", with like-for-like revenues up 4.4% in the 13 weeks to January 2 2016.
Grafton Group acquires timber merchant T Brewer
5 January 2016
Builder's merchanting and DIY operation Grafton Group has acquired timber merchant T Brewer & Co.
LED promises bright future for lighting market
5 January 2016
A new report on the UK lighting market forecasts healthy growth in 2016 as LED lighting continues to invigorate sales.
Christmas home makeover products score high in searches
5 January 2016
Sales in the two weeks before Christmas centred not so much around gifts as on items for the home including drills, curtain poles and door bells, according to Homebase.
Sainsbury's in bid for Home Retail Group
5 January 2016
Supermarket giant Sainsbury's said today that it approached Home Retail Group (HRG) in November regarding a possible offer for the Argos and Homebase parent in the form of Sainsbury's shares and cash.
Gardeners improved outdoor spaces in November
4 January 2016
Gardeners made use of the milder weather in November and made enhancements to their outdoor spaces, according to the latest results from the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) Barometer of Trade.
New Year's car crashes through hardware shop window
4 January 2016
Staff and customers of a Surrey hardware shop had a lucky escape over the holidays when a car veered off the road and ploughed through the front window.
Century-old Devon independent to close down
4 January 2016
A Dartmoor hardware independent with over a century of trading under its belt is set to close its doors for the last time this year.