Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive December 2019

Mark Pitman joins Wildlife World 30 December 2019

Wildlife World, a European designer and manufacturer of wildlife products have appointed Mark Pitman to its management team, who joins the business in January 2020 to lead their marketing team.


Pantone reveals its 'colour of the year' 27 December 2019

Pantone has announced 'Classic Blue' or 'Pantone 19-4052' as their colour of the year for 2020.


New home owners spend £13,000 on renovations 26 December 2019

Britain’s newest homeowners spent more on new furniture than on any other home improvement, according to new research.


HTA response to EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill progress 24 December 2019

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has issued a comment regarding the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill.


Tobermore makes £20,000 Christmas donation to Barnado’s 23 December 2019

Paving and walling manufacturer Tobermore is delighted to support the work of Barnardo’s by making a donation of £20,000, in lieu of Christmas gifts this year.


B & Q lowest price kitchen retailer for 2019 23 December 2019

Comparison website, Kitchen Compare has announced that B&Q has been named ‘Lowest Priced National DIY Retailer of Kitchens 2019’ for a third year running, beating rivals including, Homebase and Wickes.


What are retailer's top concerns for 2020? 20 December 2019

Wholesale costs of goods (63%), business rates (38%), and energy costs (30%) are the three biggest concerns for UK retailers ahead of an uncertain 2020.


Homebase close stores on Boxing Day 20 December 2019

Despite Boxing Day traditionally being a key date in the diary for sale-savvy shoppers, research shows that the majority of UK consumers (92%) support retailers who choose to keep their doors closed on Boxing Day.


British Garden Centres acquires Hillview Garden Centre 20 December 2019

British Garden Centres has announced that they have completed the acquisition of Hillview Garden Centres (HGC) from The Hillview Group.


New managing director at Shurtape UK 20 December 2019

Shurtape has announced the retirement of its managing director Colin Gadd and the promotion of his successor, Jason Burns, as the company celebrates 10 years of success in the UK.


Consumers spend £158 on Christmas decorations 19 December 2019

Hayes Garden World has released a report exploring consumer buying habits and trends at Christmas time. 


Kingfisher’s LGBTQ+ Network commended 19 December 2019

Kingfisher’s LGBTQ+ Network has been commended in the New Colleague Network of the Year award at the inaugural Rainbow Honours 2019. 


GCA welcomes Dame Kelly Holmes 19 December 2019

The Garden Centre Association will welcome double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (Mil) to its stage during its annual conference in January.


New sponsors confirmed for DIY Week Awards 18 December 2019

The DIY Week Awards are shaping up nicely, with a number of new sponsors having committed to the event. 


Kingfisher joins Stonewall’s Global Diversity Champions programme 18 December 2019

Kingfisher plc has joined Stonewall’s Global Diversity Champions programme.


Remembering John Twallin 18 December 2019

OBITUARY: John Twallin, joint founder of Toolbank and former chairman of its parent company Dormole, died on Saturday 14 December.


2% increase expected in garden industry until 2023 17 December 2019

According to AMA Research’s 2017 Garden Market Analysis Report, the UK Garden Products market is currently valued at £5.7billion and is expected to benefit from a 2% annual increase until 2023.


Permaroof celebrates successful year 17 December 2019

Permaroof the UK’s importer and distributor of Firestone RubberCover, is celebrating its most successful year to date with 24,000 orders completed; the highest figure in its 19-year history.  


BHETA launches programme for first quarter of 2020 17 December 2019

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has announced its first three month's programme, with retailer networking events in store for members across all market sectors.


BMA wants end to uncertainty 16 December 2019

The Bathroom Association's (BMA) CEO Tom Reynolds has urged the new government to end uncertainty and bring stability back to the economy as soon as possible following the Conservative's landside victory on 12 December.


Screwfix opens in Ireland 16 December 2019

Screwfix has officially opened in Ireland with the roll out of its first three stores ahead of Christmas, to support its online business Screwfix.ie.


New paint range from Homebase 16 December 2019

Homebase has launched its new own brand paint range – Homebase Paint. This launch is the latest innovation from the retailer to make it simpler for customers to get everything they need for their home decorating projects under one roof.


HTA welcomes General Election result 13 December 2019

The HTA has welcomed the outcome of yesterday's (12 December 2019) General Election result, where the Conservative Party achieved a commanding majority.


Challenge 25 material underway for bladed items 13 December 2019

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is to provide a suite of officially sanctioned Challenge 25 artwork for suppliers, retailers and delivery companies involved in the legitimate supply of age-restricted bladed items such as kitchen knives and DIY and garden tools. 


Paul Mason announced for GCA conference 12 December 2019

It's the 'Economy, Stupid', as writer and broadcaster Paul Mason will be talking about the economy and the political landscape during his guest speech at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) 2020 annual conference in January 2020.


New consumer guarantees from Worcester Bosch 12 December 2019

Worcester Bosch is announcing new guarantees for its range of gas-fired boilers.


Success for Scruffs at 'On the Tools' awards 12 December 2019

Scruffs has scooped two awards at the 2019 On The Tools Awards for Workwear and Boot brand of the Year, as voted for by UK tradespeople.


BMJ Industry Awards: nominations are now open 11 December 2019

The BMJ Industry Awards website is now open to take nominations for the 2020 Awards.


Homebase contract now live for Wincanton 11 December 2019

Wincanton has launched its fully managed customer order delivery service for Homebase, one of the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers.

 


One in seven renters expect landlords to settle arguments over bill payments 11 December 2019

One in seven British renters expect their landlords to resolve arguments over bill payments, new research has revealed.The study, conducted by broadband and utilities provider Glide, surveyed 1,000 tenants who are either currently renting a property,...


Positive trading update from Dunelm Group 10 December 2019

Dunelm Group has confirmed that gross margins have been stronger than expected as a result of sourcing gains and better sell through. Operational costs remain well controlled and in line with expectations.


Best in class for Travis Perkins 10 December 2019

Travis Perkins has been awarded top honours at the UK IT Industry Awards 2019 in the ‘Best Use of Cloud Services’ category.


Travis Perkins/Wickes demerger progressing well 10 December 2019

At the Group’s interim 2019 results presentation in July 2019 the Travis Perkins Management team announced the intention to demerge the Wickes business. The process is progressing well, and is on track to be completed in the second quarter of 2020, according to latest updates by the company.


Maped Helix joins BHETA 9 December 2019

Maped Helix is the latest company to join The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), in readiness for the debut of the Maped Picnik concept – a range of lunch boxes, water bottles and lunch bags.


HMG Paints win Corporate Social Responsibility Award 9 December 2019

HMG Paints has won the Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the 10th annual British Coatings Federation Awards evening


Bradford Garden Centre donates ‘wish tree' to specialist school 9 December 2019

A Bradford Garden Centre has donated a Christmas tree to a Leeds school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. 


Trustmark and trading standards scheme offers additional level of consumer protection and trade accreditation 6 December 2019

Following on from the recent inclusion in the ECO3 regulations, TrustMark, the only Government Endorsed Quality Scheme, is offering an additional level of consumer protection and trade accreditation to both householders and tradespeople looking to ...


Get ready for the biggest Jewson Live yet 6 December 2019

Jewson Live – the UK’s event for builders – is returning to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham for the fifth year this December.


Digital Goodie acquires UK-based Maginus 6 December 2019

Digital Goodie, the Finnish creator of a digital platform for Headless Connected Commerce, has announced it has acquired Maginus, a UK-based company developing e-commerce software and technology solutions for mid-market retailers and distributors.


South East Homebuilding & Renovating Show is looking to build on 2019 6 December 2019

The South East Homebuilding & Renovating Show is returning to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre between 18-19 January 2020, with 50 per cent more exhibitors than 2019.


BiKBBI calls for retailers to ‘Get on the Bus!’ 6 December 2019

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) is once again partnering with KBB, the premier industry trade show held between 1 and 4 March 2020 at the NEC Birmingham, and is calling upon independent retailers to ‘...


AkzoNobel celebrates 85 years of Wanda 5 December 2019

It may have once been a local brand, but customers all over the world are now enjoying AkzoNobel’s Wanda vehicle refinishes brand, which is celebrating its 85th anniversary.


Double award for AkzoNobel at British Coatings Federation Awards 2019 5 December 2019

AkzoNobel scooped an awards double at the British Coatings Federation awards.


Des Cass named as Grand Winner in Dulux Select Decorators Awards 2019 4 December 2019

The Grand Winner of the 2019 Dulux Select Decorators Awards has been announced as Des Cass. 


Registrations open for Global DIY Summit 4 December 2019

Registrations are now open for next year's Global DIY Summit, where more than 1,000 executive managers from 55 countries will gather. The event takes place from 10-12 June 2020, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.


HTA outlines policy 'wishes' for upcoming General Election 3 December 2019

Ahead of the 12 December General Election, the HTA has set out a manifesto outlining the key policy themes and ‘asks’ that are fundamental to developing a strong and vibrant horticulture sector. 


Burg-Wächter launches cash-based community award scheme. 3 December 2019

Burg-Wächter has launched an outreach scheme offering cash and security products to support community causes. 


GCA Christmas competition winners announced 3 December 2019

Barton Grange Garden Centre and Whitehall Garden Centre – Whitchurch have recently been announced as the national winners of the 2019 Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual Christmas competition. 


'Bricks & Clicks' providing bathroom DIY boost 2 December 2019

A new report on Bathroom Retailers Market Trends for 2020 from MTW Research has found that ‘bricks and clicks’ strategies are offering new opportunities for the bathroom market, with sales rising by 14% in the next four years.


Ceramique Internationale release Italian tiles to UK 2 December 2019

Ceramique Internationale has become the first distributor to offer an exclusive new collection of glazed Italian tiles from producer Marazzi to UK retailers.


Speaker announced for GCA conference 2 December 2019

Attendees at this year’s Garden Centre Association (GCA) annual conference in January will hear from co-founder and executive vice chair of the award-winning Eden Project, Sir Tim Smit KBE.


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