By their nature, products in DIY stores are functional and have a specific job to do. Ambiguous usage isn't the name of the game here.

British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), DIY and garden sector director Peter Stone discusses the key to successful export opportunities for suppliers.

British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), DIY sector director Peter Stone discusses the hotly-debated issue of bricks vs clicks and what opportunities are available for brands to explore

If you blinked, you may have missed it but, sorry folks, Christmas has been and gone. Our DIY shop had a good run over Christmas and takings were up 33% on the previous year's December. Our yard becomes increasingly stuffed with Christmas trees that are sold to wide-eyed children and ever-paying parents.

Ensure you grab every chance to boost those sales, urges Garden Centre Association chief executive Iain Wylie.

Some time ago I bought a sandwich shop and later sold it on to two businessmen, who ran it for a few years. Then one day a letter turned up from a firm of solicitors to tell me that the men had done a bunk and I was liable for the rent arrears of about £5,000 and that I would continue to be liable until the end of the lease.

At a time when around 10% of retail sales are now made online, the world of retailing has irreversibly moved on, but many retailers continue to be frustrated by the outmoded taxes and regulations from a bygone era.

'With mixed feelings' are probably the best words to describe the way suppliers used to anticipate crucial meetings with a multiple buyer.

Shooting from the Hip is written by a number of different people in the DIY, hardware and garden market. Writing anonymously, they share their day-to-day experiences and, writing anonymously, are able to air any frustrations regardless of commercial considersations.

Bill sets out his stall in the ongoing business rates debate