Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive February 2019

Three Greenfingers supporters take on wing walking 27 February 2019

It has been officially announced at the Garden Press Event today, that three brave souls will be taking to the skies on June 2nd in aid of the Greenfinger Charity. However, this will be no ordinary flight, says Greenfingers.Each of the Greenfingers ...


Screwfix opens new Flint store 22 February 2019

Screwfix has announced a Flint store opening in Heinzel Court. The store officially opened its doors on Thursday February 14, with hundreds of eager customers ready to stock up on the latest tools and trade essentials, the company has said.The Flint ...


Millennials drive terrarium growth 22 February 2019

Millennials interest in the tranquil nature of indoor plants is having a very positive effect within this sector. Research studies indicate houseplants boost brain power, lifts moods, reduces stress levels, improves confidence and gives a sense of ...


Asda and Sainsbury’s say CMA has “moved the goalposts” 20 February 2019

Responding to today’s report on the merger, published by the CMA, the supermarket giants insist the deal would deliver savings for shoppers, adding that the watchdog’s analysis is not consistent with similar cases.The Competition and Markets ...


Sainsbury’s Asda merger in doubt, as CMA raises “extensive competition concerns” 20 February 2019

The planned merger could be in jeopardy, as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today issues a damning report, suggesting possible action would be to block the deal entirely or insist the supermarket chains sell off a “significant” number of ...


ERA acquires Y-Cam to accelerate growth in smart security market 20 February 2019

The home security specialist has purchased British smart security pioneer Y-cam, taking on its cloud system and range of security cameras, alarms and sensors.ERA says the acquisition will make it “one of the most advanced and capable providers of ...


Plastic supplier pledges to recycle all plastic pallets and boxes 19 February 2019

Goplasticpallets.com, has pledged today to recycle every plastic pallet and plastic box it supplies to its customers.This announcement comes in the wake of the huge amount of negative media coverage on single-use plastics and the devastating impact ...


Kingfisher sets targets to significantly cut greenhouse gases from the business 19 February 2019

Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, has today announced ambitious new targets to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its business, products and supply chains.The targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets ...


Saddle up for charity with the Garden Re-Leaf cycle ride challenge 15 February 2019

Greenfingers Charity is inviting its supporters and others to put their pedal power to the test this spring by taking on the inspiring Cycle Challenge for Garden Re-Leaf Day.Garden Re-Leaf 2018 cyclistsThe cycle event, which was launched as part of ...


RSPB urging retailers to support swift initiative 15 February 2019

The RSPB is calling on homeowners and businesses in UK towns and cities to take simple steps to help save swift birds. Swift numbers have plummeted by half in just twenty years. The RSPB say now is the time to act – before the birds return from ...


BIRA celebrates 120 years of supporting independent retailers 15 February 2019

This year, the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) celebrates 120 years supporting independent retailers. Since 1899 when BIRA’s predecessors – the Ironmongers Federation, the British Hardware Federation and the Drapers Chamber of Trade ...


Johnson Tiles invests £650k in new machinery 15 February 2019

British tile manufacturer, Johnson Tiles, has invested £650k in two new inkjet machines for its factory in Stoke-on-Trent in order to enhance its existing processes for manufacturing ceramic wall tiles.The new machines guarantee faster production, ...


Future of gardening industry could depend on engaging young parents 13 February 2019

It is revealed that 40% of parents aren’t confident planting plants with their children, despite wanting kids to ditch technology and spend more time outside.A survey by Cumbria garden centre, Hayes Garden World revealed that 86% of parents with ...


Axminster Tools & Machinery lands spot in top 50 UK retailer list 12 February 2019

The East Devon tool specialist has recently been listed in the top 50 ecommerce and cross-channel retailers, as detailed in the Internet Retailing UK (IRUK) Top 500 report 2019.The company was first listed in the 2017 report, when it appeared in the ...


Squire's plant show sees multiple accolades 12 February 2019

Squire’s Garden Centres held its annual plant show in West Horsley on 7th February 2019. Suppliers from the UK and abroad came to Squire’s to showcase their latest plants, ready for the spring season ahead.Squire’s also presented its “Supplier Of ...


Wilko to re-locate Warrington store 11 February 2019

The value home and garden retailer has signed a lease for a new store at Golden Square Shopping Centre, with its existing branch at Cockhedge Shopping Park closing its doors on Saturday, March 23.The new 15,000sq ft store is due to open in April ...


Tong Garden Centre begins major development plans 11 February 2019

Tong Garden Centre is set to complete the first stage of its latest expansion with support from a seven-figure HSBC UK funding package.The centre, which is situated between Leeds and Bradford, is expecting to complete the construction of a 4,000 sq. ...


Dobbies sells two centres to Caulders 11 February 2019

Dobbies Garden Centres has agreed the sale of its two smallest centres - Kinross and Cumbernauld - to family-run Caulders Garden Centres.Dobbies – which bought six Wyevale centres last year – said the sale of these two smaller centres is in line ...


Snow puts the freeze on John Lewis sales 8 February 2019

Winter weather saw the department store chain’s total sales dip 4.4% for the week, despite a huge uplift in heating products, as the retailer also announces collaboration with Swoon.Trading in the home category was down 6% for the week, whilst ...


Ikea opens most sustainable store yet 8 February 2019

Ikea UK celebrated the opening of its leading sustainable store in Greenwich yesterday. The store forms part of Ikea’s ongoing city centre approach in London as it responds to the growth of urban living, the shift to a circular economy and changes ...


EP Barrus continues expansion with new warehouse 8 February 2019

The gardening tools and equipment supplier has expanded its warehouse capacity by a further 11,000sq ft to meet continued demand on the back of a successful 2018, with plans to relocate to a larger permanent warehouse in the future. The decision to ...


Dulux Decorator Centre launches new workwear range 7 February 2019

Dulux Decorator Centre has overhauled its workwear offering with the launch of a new range, which it will retail across its 204 shops and online.The move follows demand from professional decorators who want “a one-stop shop that’s centered on their ...


Retailers urged to stock up on natural slug and snail controls ahead of metaldehyde ban 7 February 2019

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has given retailers just six months to stop selling metaldehyde, as fears grow over its impact on wildlife and the environment.The incoming ban was announced in December, with the ...


Nearly half of UK retail industry is failing to recognise value of effective pricing 7 February 2019

According to a report by Omnia Retail, around 96,000 of the 200,000 registered retailers in the UK are putting their business at risk by failing to grasp the importance of an effective pricing strategy.The pricing and automation specialist said its ...


Smart Garden Products pull Briers out of administration 7 February 2019

Smart Garden Products have announced the purchase of the Briers business and assets from administrators Duff & Phelps."The business was short of cashflow and their directors were trying to find a buyer for some months without success, eventually ...


Latest round of Wyevale centres sold to BGC and Rochmills Group 6 February 2019

The six latest sites to be sold are Bold Heath, Carr Gate, Leyland, Coventry and Bolton, which have been snapped by family-run British Garden Centres, whilst Woburn Sands has been bought by Rochmills Group ...


New safety mark replacement could cost UK manufacturers millions 5 February 2019

A new UK safety mark designed to replace the EU’s ubiquitous CE mark, following a no-deal Brexit will cost British manufacturers and exporters millions of pounds in product stamping, testing and red tape.The warning comes from international courier ...


Ironmongery Direct completes major distribution centre expansion 5 February 2019

The Manutan European Group, which owns Ironmongery Direct and sister company Electrical Direct has completed a major expansion project – doubling the size of its warehouse, in order to house thousands more new product, and expanding its call centre ...


Global DIY Summit's keynote speaker revealed 4 February 2019

The Global DIY Summit has announced that John Venhuizen, president and CEO of Ace Hardware, will be the Global DIY Summit’s Keynote Speaker in Dublin on the 6th of June 2019.As head of the World’s largest Hardware Retail Cooperative, serving over 4,...


SCS pulls out of talks to buy Sofa.com 1 February 2019

Sofa Carpet Specialist (SCS) has issued a statement this morning confirming it is no longer in the running to buy Sofa.com Ltd, as reports suggest that Mike Ashley has already agreed a deal to purchase the business.The furniture and flooring ...


RDT offers help during cold weather 1 February 2019

As the icy weather has set in once again, industry charity, the Rainy Day Trust has launched its 2019 Emergency Winter Fuel Campaign.Whilst the UK government runs a cold weather payment scheme that pays £25 to those on means-tested welfare benefits ...


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