Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive June 2020

Promising year ahead for home interiors industry 29 June 2020

New research has revealed millions of consumers are spending more money than usual on their homes as a result of lockdown, with 75 per cent of Brits planning further improvements over the next year, including decorating, kitchens, bathrooms and extensions.

 


National Home Improvement Month set for September 29 June 2020

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has confirmed that its National Home Improvement Month 2020 consumer promotion will go ahead in September


BMJ Industry Awards relaunches as online live stream for 2020 26 June 2020

Set your Microsoft Outlook calendars for Friday 17th July because the BMJ Industry Awards 2020 is going ahead as a pre-recorded live-stream event.


Checkatrade.com records busiest week ever 26 June 2020

Now that lockdown restrictions have started to ease, homeowners are seizing the opportunity to look for a tradesperson to tackle various jobs in and outside the home.


Quartermaine Distribution acquires household product supplier 25 June 2020

Cheshire based company Quartermaine Distribution has completed the acquisition of Scott Brothers Ltd, saving six jobs.

 


Increased plant imports highlights the need to support UK horticulture 24 June 2020

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is calling for the UK Government to address the growing need to support UK horticulture and with it, support a green economic revival post-Covid-19. 


Worcester Bosch celebrates successful safe installer commitment 24 June 2020

Since Worcester Bosch launched its 'Safe in Your Home Installer Commitment' on 1 June, as of 23 June, 2,935 installer companies have signed up to the scheme. It's estimated by the boiler manufacturer that by the end of June this will surpass 3,000 sign-ups.


HTA response to Government lockdown relaxation announcements 23 June 2020

The HTA has responded to the UK's Government's announcement of further lockdown restrictions.


Dulux Decorator Centre brings colour to communities 23 June 2020

Dulux Decorator Centre is marking 125 years of service to customers, colleagues and communities with a new initiative to support the nation through its current challenges.


Travis Perkins set to cut 9% of its staff 22 June 2020

In total, the Group expects to reduce the number of colleagues by around 2,500, approximately 9% of the workforce.


Kingfisher bounce back in Q2 2020 22 June 2020

Kingfisher PLC has recently announced its 2019/20 year end financial results, and its Q1 and Q2 2020/2021 summary. 


spoga+gafa 2020 set to go ahead 19 June 2020

spoga+gafa 2020 in Cologne, Germany, is set to go ahead from 6-8 September 2020. 


Popularity in garden ponds during lockdown period 18 June 2020

The UK’s aquatics and water-gardening industry has been boosted by a huge surge of interest in garden ponds during the coronavirus lockdown.


Gardenex organises virtual 'Meet the International Buyer' event 18 June 2020

Gardenex and PetQuip are holding a series of virtual Meet the International Buyer events, following the success of the first of its kind organised by the Federation.


HTA Virtual New Plant Awards Winners 2020 17 June 2020

 Apple ‘Trinity’ from Frank P Matthews has been crowned Best in Show at the New Plant Awards 2020.


The Retail Mutual launches #OpenForBusiness 16 June 2020

On Monday 15 June the UK took another step towards easing the lockdown as non-essential retailers are permitted to reopen their stores. 


Bradford Garden Centre expansion on course for September completion 16 June 2020

Building work has continued throughout the Coronavirus pandemic closure to make further improvements to a Bradford Garden Centre.


CKI Free Carriage extended to end of June 15 June 2020

Always looking at fresh and innovative ways to help customers drive sales, CKI are also very much committed to supporting retailers during these challenging times. 


Travis Perkins announces trading update 15 June 2020

Over the last six weeks, Travis Perkins has continued to open more of its branches under the safe, social-distancing working practices, in conjunction with customers, suppliers and construction industry bodies, as well as the UK Government.


Rainy Day Trust plan online fundraiser 12 June 2020

Rainy Day Trust CEO Bryan Clover has announced plan of a social media fundraiser for the Rainy Day Trust organisation.


GIMA announces first virtual Buyer Connect session with Homebase 12 June 2020

GIMA has announced that they are hosting a virtual Meet the Buyer session with Homebase to be held on Thursday 25 June 2020. 


HTA launches Virtual Plant Awards 11 June 2020

The HTA has received 48 entries for its Virtual New Plant Awards 2020.


AkzoNobel provides Covid-19 update 11 June 2020

As the complex situation regarding the global pandemic continues to evolve, AkzoNobel remains focused on ensuring employee health and safety and maintaining business continuity, according to a recent company statement


Strong demand in lawn sector 10 June 2020

Johnsons Lawn Seed, the UK’s oldest lawn seed brand, is reporting healthy sales of two of its most iconic consumer brands, despite the nationwide lockdown that gripped the garden trade during peak season.


The best and worst garden trends 10 June 2020

The best and worst garden trends of all time have been revealed by leading tool firm Draper Tools - with bird feeders and vegetable patches among the good, and gnomes and fake grass among the bad. 


Introducing The Grow Show 9 June 2020

Kicking off summer in style, Glee Trade Show partners at Grow Your Own magazine have launched a brand-new virtual gardening event: The Grow Show.


Signs of recovery in DIY industry 9 June 2020

Consumer spending contracted 26.7 per cent year-on-year in May, but positive signs are seen as more sectors adapt to social distancing restrictions to keep their doors open.  


Robert Dyas announces store reopening plan 8 June 2020

Robert Dyas will begin a phased return to the high street from Monday 15 June, with 11 stores in the South-East leading the way and reopening their doors. 


Research shows 50% of decorators affected by mental health 8 June 2020

Dulux Select Decorators has increased the range of support it offers its members to help them counter mental health challenges.

 

 


Adapting sanitisation needs is key for retail 4 June 2020

Garden centres have led the way in getting UK retail back on track as the coronavirus pandemic lockdown is eased. Now that garden outlets have been open for two weeks, many have successfully adapted sanitisation and social distancing operations to allow safe trading to resume. 


Parks and gardens to reopen 4 June 2020

Following clarification from government on 23 May that gardens in England could reopen to visitors, the garden attractions of Historic Houses – Britain’s largest collection of independent heritage – are carefully opening their garden gates


Waitrose, John Lewis and Vitality team up for health and wellbeing workshops 3 June 2020

Waitrose, John Lewis and health and life insurer Vitality is launching a series of free virtual workshops focused on health and wellbeing, exclusively for myWaitrose and myJohn Lewis members. 


Travis Perkins appoints Emma Rose as new group HR director 3 June 2020

Travis Perkins has announced the appointment of Emma Rose as the Group’s new HR director with immediate effect. Rose joins the business from Kerry Foods, where she was HR Director.


Worcester Bosch launch Safe in Your Home Installer Commitment 2 June 2020

Worcester Bosch, has launched a new initiative to support installers and homeowners for work undertaken in the home.


Home improvements thrive in lockdown 2 June 2020

A new Aviva study gives a glimpse into home life under lockdown, with properties and homeownership aspirations all impacted.


Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show Inspires Brits to Get Gardening 1 June 2020

For the first time in its history, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show went virtual this May, due to the physical show being cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.


Rainy Day Trust urge new donations 1 June 2020

Bryan Clover, CEO at the Rainy Day Trust, has released a statement on behalf of the organisation: 


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