Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

Latest News

Koi carp stolen from Norfolk garden centre

Poppyfield Garden Centre in Snettisham, Norfolk, fell victim to fish thieves last week - 46 valuable koi carp were snatched from a covered pond. 
29 January 2013

Dulux Colour of the Year is Indigo Night

Providing "warmth, reassurance and comfort", Indigo Night has been chosen as 2013's Colour of the Year by Dulux. 
28 January 2013

Hughes Electrical expands in Cambridge

Independent electrical specialist Hughes Electrical has expanded its presence in Cambridge by relocating its store in the city. 
28 January 2013

B&M's plans for former Focus store restricted by DIY-only rule

Discount retailer B&M Homestores is hoping to get a planning application approved to take over a former Shepton Mallet Focus DIY store - but conditions placed on the site 10 years ago restrict its trade to DIY products, which means the venture could be unviable, according to B&M. 
28 January 2013

Wesco names new UK distribution partner

Wesco, the German supplier of household accessories, has appointed a new sole distributor for the UK. 
28 January 2013

Shop vacancies dip - but 2013 closures 'could double'

Shop vacancies went down in December - but 2013 could usher in twice the number of closures of last year. 
28 January 2013

BHETA in joint mobile site initiative for Ambiente

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association has come together with British Jewellery & Giftware International and UK Trade & Investment to produce a mobile website to promote UK companies at next month's Ambiente show. 
28 January 2013

DIY searches on tablets up 242% in Q4 2012

Phenomenal growth in retail searches on tablets at the end of last year show that "online retail really came of age this Christmas". 
25 January 2013

BRC: 50% retailers plan to make redundancies this quarter

Despite retail employment growing by 0.6% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2012, new findings by the BRC have revealed half of the retailers they questioned plan to decrease staffing levels during the first three months of 2013. 
24 January 2013

More expert speakers announced for GCA conference

Retailing to women will be the subject of speaker Liz Hutson's speech at the GCA annual conference on January 28, while Paul Arrigo from Franchi Seeds will speak on the subject of 'From Seed to Plate' the following day. 
23 January 2013

Notcutts to share Bagshot site with Waitrose

The Baghost branch of Nottcutts Garden Centres has joined forces with supermarket giant Waitrose to transform the existing site into a purpose-built single site comprising both Notcutts and Waitrose. 
23 January 2013

B&Q introduces 'green fleet' powered by natural gas

A greener fleet of dual fuel lorries - powered by natural gas produced by waste - has been introduced by B&Q in a bid to reach a 2023 deadline of reducing CO2 emissions to 50%. 
23 January 2013

Monument becomes Rainy Day Trust partner



South London-based manufacturer Monument Tools has become the latest business to show support for the Rainy Day Trust charity by taking up a 'Partner Package' sponsorship offer. 
22 January 2013

Electric shock LED bulb recalled

An LED bulb has been recalled from end users because of a danger from live parts. 
22 January 2013

Garden Centres boosted by non-plant sales

Catering, Christmas and gifts gave garden centres a less-traditional sales boost last year, according to the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) Barometer of Trade (BoT) results. 
22 January 2013

Stanley Tool Jury helps raise £10,000 for charity

Stanley has honoured its pledge to donate £10,000 to charity after its Tool Jury completed a gruelling 72-hour challenge. 
22 January 2013

Topps Tiles takes its trade shows to the road

Following on from the success of the first Topps Tiles trade event at the Milton Keynes store last year, the flooring retailer is inviting tilers, builders and other trade professionals to attend its nationwide Topps Trade Roadshow at locations throughout the UK. 
22 January 2013

The Midlands Co-op to axe its Fashion & Home stores

The Midlands Co-operative is to close its loss-making chain of Fashion & Home department stores. 
22 January 2013

Free packaging review for BHETA members

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association has teamed up with a new service provider to offer help to members in all areas of packaging. 
22 January 2013

Home Hardware Christmas promotion hits new high

Home Hardware says its Christmas 2012 promotion sales were up 19% over the previous year. 
22 January 2013
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