Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive January 2020

DIY retailers feature in UK's favourite brands 30 January 2020

B&Q, Screwfix and Dulux Decorator Centre have topped the charts as the most loved DIY retailers in the UK, according to a new study of 96,000 consumers from Savanta. 


Benjamin Moore announces new stockist 30 January 2020

Benjamin Moore has announced that existing authorised stockist, G C Johnson, will be stocking the brand at its newest location at Omni Business Park, Harlow.


ManoMano accelerates growth strategy 30 January 2020

ManoMano, a European online marketplace for DIY, home improvement and gardening products, has announced the completion of its €125 million Series E fundraising.


Award winners announced at GCA Conference 29 January 2020

Garden centre staff across the country are celebrating after receiving awards at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference in Bristol on 27 January.


Tools needed to help young people in Africa 29 January 2020

RGB Building Supplies is delighted to have once again joined forces with South West-based charity Amigos to invite customers and members of the local community to donate preloved tools, which will go on to be used by young people in Africa.


Bira welcomes the Government's decision to increase discount rates for small retailers 29 January 2020

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed the Treasury’s decision to increase discount rates for small retailers from one-third to 50%.


JYSK UK backs Jack's Law 28 January 2020

Scandi-owned global retail furniture brand JYSK has announced it would double the Government’s new paid leave measures in the UK for parents who suffer bereavement


Travis Perkins marks 30-year logo milestone 28 January 2020

Travis Perkins has recently welcomed a very special guest, Margaret Hill-Tout, to its Northampton branch to commemorate her key contribution to the design of the company’s logo over 30 years ago.


Two new Screwfix stores to open 27 January 2020

Screwfix has opened new stores in Aylsham and Rowley Regis.


Wayfair to headline BHETA Forum 27 January 2020

BHETA’s next retailer networking forum takes place on Wednesday 26 February and will feature a presentation from a leading member of the Wayfair team. 


Top 3 gardening trends for 2020 24 January 2020

Squire’s Garden Centres has revealed their top three gardening trends for 2020, gardening for wildlife, wellbeing, and the world.


Retailers set for post-Christmas boost 24 January 2020

Shoppers are beating the January blues and reducing the strain on their bank accounts by using gift cards instead – with retailers set to receive a sales boost this weekend that could potentially total over £200 million.


PPG showcases colour palette 23 January 2020

PPG has announced that it has launched “Biophilic Vibe,” a new nature-inspired colour palette available for a range of Whitford nonstick coatings.


Grand Designs Live returns to London Excel 23 January 2020

Grand Designs Live will return to ExCeL London from 2-10 May 2020, showcasing a selection of the latest innovations, developments, trends and all-new products across each of the five sectors of the show, which cover build, kitchens, bathrooms, gardens and interiors.


Global DIY report available from BHETA 22 January 2020

The latest Fediyma Global DIY Report is now available and provides insights into the export market potential of 53 different countries. The report is available to BHETA members at a substantial discount. 


Dulux urges industry to join its London Revolution 22 January 2020

Dulux is calling for painters and decorators across the UK to put down their brushes and pull on their sports kit to take part in the final Dulux London Revolution in 2020. 


Homebase in Gateshead to remain open 22 January 2020

Homebase has secured a deal with the landlord of its Gateshead store, which will see the store stay open.


New brand ambassador for Evergreen Garden Care 21 January 2020

Evergreen Garden Care, which encompasses garden care brands such as Miracle-Gro, Levington, Roundup and Tomorite, has announced it has appointed one of the UK’s most prominent Chartered Horticulturalist and TV broadcasters, David Domoney, as its brand ambassador.


Wilk supports National Home Improvement Month 2020 21 January 2020

Home and garden retailer, wilko, which has 417 stores across the UK, is to support National Home Improvement Month.


HTA demand action on kerbside collections 21 January 2020

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is calling for action to be taken by local authorities to collect recyclable plant pots in their kerbside collections.


DIY Week Awards 2020 - Entry deadline extended - 10 February 20 January 2020

This year’s DIY Week Awards are fast approaching, and with a number of new sponsors having committed to the event, it’s shaping up to be the best yet! Joining Home Hardware (presenting Home and Kitchen Product of the Year), who committed to the ...


Two new Screwfix stores to open 20 January 2020

Screwfix is celebrating the opening of two new stores – in Bingham and Lincoln.


New trademark to protect home improvement consumers 20 January 2020

A new Financial Protection Panel of independent experts and industry representatives has been formed by TrustMark, the Government Endorsed Quality scheme, to assess the financial protection available to consumers looking to undertake any home improvements, repairs, maintenance or energy efficiencies in or around the home.


AMES UK invests 1.5million in acquisition of Kelkay 20 January 2020

AMES UK has demonstrated its confidence in the team and the future growth of the business by funding a £1.5m investment in warehousing and logistics as well as new packaging machinery, all of which has been installed since August 2019.


GCA conference in aid of Greenfingers 17 January 2020

Garden centre and horticultural industry staff can now sign up for a fundraising event being held at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference (26-29 January).


Homeowners abandoning DIY according to Checkatrade 17 January 2020

Research from Checkatrade.com, the UK’s leading online trades directory, has found that more than 85% of the public have sought tradespeople to do odd jobs around the house over the last 12 months.


Plant Finder to include ‘houseplants for every room’ 17 January 2020

A new section dedicated to houseplants has been launched on Joy of Plants’ Plant Finder software.


Home Hardware (Scotland) 2019 turnover up 3.22% 17 January 2020

Home Hardware Scotland has just released its 2019 figures, showing an increase of 3.22% like-for-like on the previous year.       


Squire’s Garden Centres has announced the winners of its “Made A Difference” awards 16 January 2020

Squire’s Garden Centres has rewarded some of its employees for making a difference to the business.


Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) to launch new safety seminar at FIT 16 January 2020

The Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced that it will be launching a new safety seminar this year at the 2020 FIT Show at the NEC in May. 


Satisfactory Christmas trading reports from Theo Paphitis Retail Group 16 January 2020

Theo Paphitis Retail Group has announced Financial Year End 2019 Results and provided a Christmas Trading Statement, which it describes as " a Resilient Group performance amid challenging conditions".


Positive pre-season orders for Neudorff’s natural gardening range 15 January 2020

DLF Seeds, the new distributor for Neudorff, is reporting strong pre-season orders for the German natural gardening product portfolio.  


HTA opposes business rates change in Scotland 14 January 2020

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has opposed the proposed move to scrap the Uniform Business Rate in Scotland.


Richard Burbidge relocates to North Wales 14 January 2020

Richard Burbidge, the manufacturer and supplier of stair parts, decking accessories and decorative mouldings has relocated its head office to Chirk, North Wales, joining the company’s existing onsite manufacturing and distribution facility.

 

 


New JYSK in Oldham set for Spring 2020 14 January 2020

YSK, the Scandinavian-owned multi-billion Euro furniture brand, has announced it will open in Oldham in Spring 2020.


Travis Perkins sells wholesale Plumbing & Heating business 13 January 2020

 Travis Perkins' management team has confirmed the sale of its wholesale plumbing & heating business, Primaflow F&P, to Newbury Investments (UK).


International Hardware fair fully booked 13 January 2020

The International Hardware Fair 2020 is now fully booked; around 2,800 exhibitors from more than 55 countries are expected. 


AMES UK report a record pre-season 10 January 2020

AMES UK is reporting an uplift on 2018 of over 46% on a like-for-like basis across Kelkay, Woodshaw and La Hacienda.


Poor Christmas retail figures blamed on desire to consume less 10 January 2020

Christmas High Streets and supermarket sales figures are coming thick and fast and the picture looks bleak for many retailers, while the British Retail Consortium is saying last year was the worst for retail in 25 years.


Dormole continues investment in Tools and Fixings Trade 10 January 2020

Forgefix owner, Dormole, has continued its policy of investing in independent suppliers to the Tools and Fixings Trade, by taking a majority stake in Harrison & Clough (H&C), the fixings and fasteners wholesaler based in Keighley, UK.


Bord na Mona announces name change to The Greener Gardening Company 9 January 2020

Bord na Mona has announced that the UK retail arm of the business will change its name to The Greener Gardening Company, effective from 1 February 2020.


Strong growth in second quarter for Dunelm 9 January 2020

Dunelm Group has reported a strong trading update for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended 28 December 2019.


Kate Adie to speak at GCA conference 9 January 2020

Former BBC chief news correspondent Kate Adie CBE has been announced as a speaker at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) annual conference in Bristol this month (January 26-29).


Screwfix unveils new product catalogue 9 January 2020

Screwfix has unveiled its 140th product catalogue. 


John Lewis Partnership Christmas trading were down 1.8% 9 January 2020

Gross Christmas sales at the John Lewis Partnership were down 1.8% versus 2018 to £2,167 million.


New restaurant opens at Notcutts in Ditchling 8 January 2020

Notcutts Garden Pride Garden Centre in Ditchling, East Sussex, has opened a new restaurant with dining for up to 300 people.

 


Webinar for online retailing in overseas markets launched 8 January 2020

Gardenex is planning a programme of webinars and initiatives on online retailing in overseas markets to be held in conjunction with the E-Exporting team at the Department for International Trade and Infinity Blue Marketplaces.  


Bira teams up with EKM 8 January 2020

Bira has teamed up with ecommerce specialist EKM to provide members with a trusted way to build an online presence while supporting their bricks-and-mortar retail business.


AkzoNobel completes share buyback 8 January 2020

AkzoNobel has repurchased 300,764 of its own ordinary shares in the period from 30 December 2019, up to and including 3 January 2020, at an average price of €90.92 per share. The consideration of the repurchase was €27.35 million.


Toolstation extends opening hours 7 January 2020

Toolstation branches are now open until 8pm on weekday evenings.


Screwfix celebrates 40 years 7 January 2020

Omnichannel retailer, Screwfix turned 40 in December 2019.


Showroom success for Lakes with Jewson 7 January 2020

National builders’ merchant Jewson has recently updated its showroom in Flitwick to include Lakes’ new Bay Series and premium stone resin trays, Lakes Stone


GCA members to compete for Worrall Cup 6 January 2020

Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) can put their marketing campaigns and initiatives to the test as part of the organisation’s annual Worrall Cup competition (January, 2020).


New Chief Customer and Digital Officer for Kingfisher 6 January 2020

Kingfisher, the international home improvement company, has announced the appointment of Jean-Jacques (JJ) Van Oosten as chief customer and digital officer.


GIMA launches Knowledge Exchange programme 3 January 2020

GIMA’s Knowledge Exchange programme will begin 2020 with the return of the ‘Developing Selling Skills’ session. 


Electricians rate UK's friendliest tradespeople 3 January 2020

My Job Quote surveyed 1,482 British people to discover who they believe to be the friendliest tradespeople. My Job Quote found that the majority of those surveyed rate electricians (75%) as the friendliest tradespeople.


Record sales for Squire's 3 January 2020

Squire’s Garden Centres has published their financial results for the year ending 31 July 2019. It was a year of record sales; turnover increased by 15% to £57m, helped by excellent weather conditions throughout the peak season.


New judge announced for DIY Week Awards 2020 3 January 2020

Mike Smith of EFG Housewares has been announced as the latest judge to join the Supplier category judging panel for this year’s DIY Week Awards. 


Clothing and houseplants top sales lists for garden centres in November 2 January 2020

Clothing and houseplants were best sellers at garden centres across the country according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade (BoT) report for November (2019).

 

 


BHETA plans ‘Launchpad’ shell scheme for 2020 2 January 2020

BHETA’s 2020 Exclusively Show in June will see the debut of a new ‘Launchpad’ shell scheme area designed to meet the needs of smaller manufacturers and suppliers in the housewares industry.  


Strong growth in November, says HTA 2 January 2020

2019 has been a successful year of growth for garden centres nationally, with overall November sales up 10% compared with the same month in 2018 according to the latest HTA Market Update report.


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