News Archive February 2016
One million retail jobs at risk over next decade, warns BRC
29 February 2016
A new report from the British Retail Consortium has warned that changes in shoppers' habits - namely the rise of online shopping - means one million retail workers are at risk of losing their jobs over the next ten years.
UPDATE: Homebase acquisition complete
29 February 2016
Australian retailer Wesfarmers confirmed today that it has completed the £340m purchase of Homebase.
Homebase acquisition given final seal of approval
26 February 2016
Shareholders of Home Retail Group formally approved the sale of Homebase to Australian retailer Wesfarmers today.
Squire's raises £850 for local charity
25 February 2016
Squire's garden centre head office in Bagshot Lea recently raised £850 for local charity Post 19.
Garden Wise pledges to raise £5k for Marie Curie
25 February 2016
Garden Wise Plant and Garden Centre is aiming to raise £5,000 for the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal 2016.
DIY store overcomes disaster to celebrate 180 years
25 February 2016
Independent DIY store JB Banks, named for the father and son who opened the store in 1836, is celebrating 180 years in business - despite several bumps in the road along the way.
Garden centre bosses to speak at GIMA conference
24 February 2016
Bob Hewitt, the outgoing chief executive of Klondyke Group, and Derek Bunker, owner of Alton Garden Centre, will both be speaking to delegates at the next Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) Day Conference.
BHETA members will meet Wilko buyers
24 February 2016
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association's (BHETA) next Meet the Buyer day will be held with Wilko.
Sainsbury's given three week extension on Argos bid
23 February 2016
UK supermarket giant Sainsbury's has been given three weeks to decide whether it will offer a bid to counter
Steinhoff's £1.42bn proposal for Argos.
Carl Kammerling International has relocated its north west marketing office from Manchester Business Park to Daresbury Park in Cheshire, to accommodate future growth plans.
Catering kicks off garden centres' New Year
23 February 2016
Catering sales kick-started garden centres' year, according to the latest figures from the Garden Centre Association (GCA).
Harveys owner rivals Sainsbury's bid for Argos
22 February 2016
South African retailer Steinhoff, which owns Harveys and Bensons for Beds, has made a rival bid of £1.42bn for Argos, outstripping Sainsbury's bid of £1.35bn.
Shares at HRG rocket following rival bid for Argos
22 February 2016
Home Retail Group's shares have jumped by 12% following Steinhoff International's
rival bid against Sainsbury's for Argos.
Internet retail giant Amazon has announced plans to open a one million sq ft fulfilment centre in Coalville, Leicestershire, as part of its £4.6bn investment in UK projects.
Household goods internet sales up almost 30% in January
19 February 2016
Stores falling into the 'household goods' category saw the biggest year-on-year online sales growth for January 2016 compared with all other retail sectors, up 29.8% on January 2015 according to the Office for National Statistics.
Homebase recalls blind over child strangulation fears
19 February 2016
Homebase has issued a recall for its Bamboo Roll Up Blinds over fears the pull cord breakaways are too strongly locked and could pose a risk of strangulation to a small child.
All-new Totally garners mixed reviews
18 February 2016
The new two-day, mid-week Totally Tools and Totally DIY shows closed yesterday afternoon, with the jury still out for many as to whether the show - noticeably missing several big-name exhibitors - made it work.
B&Q Motherwell to close
18 February 2016
B&Q has confirmed its Motherwell supercentre is among the
60 stores to be culled by the Kingfisher retail giant over the next two years, according to reports.
Hundreds of top names from the DIY industry flocked to the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, for the DIY Week awards last night.
City suggests Wyevale is up for sale
17 February 2016
Reports over the weekend have stirred up talk that private equity firm Terra Firma is considering selling the 153-strong Wyevale Garden Centre chain, with city sources suggesting an auction is on the cards
New format Totally opens
16 February 2016
The re-vamped two day Totally DIY and Totally Tools opened today, debuting it's midweek time slot.
BHF reveals the winners of its annual awards
16 February 2016
The British Hardware Federation Awards were presented today at trade show Totally DIY: Totally Tools by BHF chairman Stewart Munro and BIRA CEO Alan Hawkins.
Travis Perkins launches first Innovation Awards
16 February 2016
In the first initiative of its kind for Travis Perkins plc, the Innovation Awards will be open for entries next month.
Centurion sets out new development strategy
16 February 2016
Wholesaler and distributor, Centurion Europe has set out an ambitious development strategy that it hopes will see the organisation break into new markets in 2016.
Smooth transition as Bosmere joins Tildenet
16 February 2016
Following the New Year acquisition of Bosmere Products by Tildenet, the transition of operations has has now been concluded, with all orders now being processed at Bristol headquarters of The Tildenet Group.
Martin Breddy named as Squire's new managing director
10 February 2016
Squire's Garden Centres has named former Scotts Miracle-Gro man Martin Breddy as managing director designate.
Bumper year of hand-outs from GCA Trust
10 February 2016
The Garden Centre Association (GCA) Trust has completed its best year ever of approving grants to students of horticulture.
BHETA announces next Credit Forum
10 February 2016
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is holding its next Credit Forum on March 9.
'Slow paying' Bradstone firm dumped in Hall of Shame
10 February 2016
Bradstone landscaping products supplier Aggregate Industries has been deposited into a
Hall of Shame because of a claim that it has excessively long payment terms.
January was a good month for consumer spending - and for the high street in particular.
West Yorkshire garden centre calls it a day
8 February 2016
A struggling West Yorkshire garden centre has announced that it will close down at the end of this month.
Wyevale GC kicks off vote for Crowders name change
8 February 2016
South east misses out on January footfall growth
8 February 2016
Shoppers hitting the sales this January helped boost retail footfall in every region of the UK - apart from London and the south east.
B&Q raises basic wage - but cuts pay elsewhere
8 February 2016
B&Q is raising its basic wage for employees - but cutting back on remuneration in other areas.
Lowe's acquires competitor Rona
5 February 2016
US home improvement giant Lowe's is buying Canadian retail rival Rona in a friendly takeover for C$3.2bn.
UPDATE: Fire at Tafs caused by electrical fault
5 February 2016
Investigators at Shropshire Fire & Rescue rule an overnight blaze at timber and fencing firm Tafs Garden Co was sparked by "abnormal electrical activity"
Midlands hardware supplier moves to new premises
4 February 2016
Hiatt Hardware UK will move to a new 55,000sq ft unit in Aston, Birmingham, after acquiring the space from manufacturer Hydraforce for an undisclosed sum.
Major overnight blaze at Shropshire timber firm
3 February 2016
More than 40 firefighters and six fire engines attended a major blaze at Shropshire timber and fencing supplier Tafs Garden Co last night.
Sainsbury's offers £1.3bn for Argos
2 February 2016
As had been widely predicted, Sainsbury's went back to Home Retail Group (HRG) this week with a formal offer for the business - effectively Argos.
Poundbury Gardens seeks charity partner
2 February 2016
Poundbury Gardens, which is part of The Gardens Group, is searching for a local charity or not-for-profit organisation to donate 10% of its takings to during its 10th anniversary celebrations, which take place between Tuesday, March 1 and Thursday, March 10.
Newcastle independent Dochertys closing down
1 February 2016
Well-known Newcastle store Dochertys is the latest hardware independent to announce that it is closing down for good.
Grafton Group takes another merchant
1 February 2016
Builder's merchanting and DIY business Grafton Group has completed the acquisition of another merchant, Allsand Supplies.
DIY and hardware independent sales sink in Q4
1 February 2016
DIY independents' impressive run of sales growth came to an abrupt halt in the last three months of 2015 as they slumped into decline.
Housewares distributor Polder Housewares acquired by Topspin Partners
1 February 2016
Polder Housewares, a designer, marketer and distributor of branded housewares products across the kitchen storage and food prep, home organisation, and laundry categories, announced that it has been acquired by Topspin Partners.
Get ready to walk for charity
1 February 2016
Members of the industry are being urged to get involved with this year's Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day walk.
George Lines becomes division of Lords Builders Merchants
1 February 2016
West London-based independent civils merchant George Lines has become part of Lords Builders Merchants.
GardenTags debate correction
1 February 2016