All Home & DIY articles – Page 197
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News
Ikea reveals sales increase
Ikea has revealed that sales rose 6.9% in the year ended August 31, 2011 to reach nearly E25bn (£21.7bn). Over the year, the retailer cut prices and added stores to drive sales. The weak economy meant customers switched to smaller ticket items. Chief executive Mikael Ohlsson confirmed the company’s interest ...
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NewsWickes to shrink stores as web transforms retail
1.4 million sq ft to be ditched as online reduces need for physical store space
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NewsInflationary pressures hit The Range
Homewares retailer The Range chief executive Chris Dawson has cited “massive inflation” as being a key contributor to stagnant profits at the company last year as the high costs of fuel and other capital expenses frustrated growth.
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AnalysisMarks & Spencer: Finding its way
Marks & Spencer is piloting a new in-store look aimed at improving navigation and making its in-store brands more obvious. John Ryan reports
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AnalysisBill Carrahar
The new director of Carpetright’s beds business, Sleepright, is passionate about the sector that has given him a second career, and is looking forward to working with an ‘icon in the industry’
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AnalysisOut of the ashes
B&Q’s new store in Witney is a former branch of DIY operator Focus. After visiting on a bank holiday Monday, John Ryan is convinced that, while its predecessor came unstuck, this one will do the job.
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OpinionGrocery retailing isn’t just about price
It would have been hard for Tesco’s Big Price Drop to live up to the hype that built up before its launch.
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NewsConran Shop opens 'Play Zone'
The Conran Shop has opened a new ‘Play Zone’ where you won’t be the only adult playing around.
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NewsRiot-hit furniture store House of Reeves to be rebuilt
The family–run Croydon furniture business devastated by a blaze during rioting in August is preparing to apply for planning permission to build a new store on the same site.
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NewsB&Q launches mobile site
DIY retailer B&Q has today launched a mobile transactional website in a move to capitalise on growing online sales.
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NewsRecord squeeze on family spending power in August, says Asda Income Tracker
Sustained inflation and the rising cost of fuel, gas and electricity have forced the sharpest decline in family spending power on record, the Asda Income tracker has revealed.
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NewsTopps Tiles expects pre-tax profit to hit consensus of £13.4m
Topps Tiles expects to report adjusted pre-tax profit for the year to October 1 within analysts’ estimates with a consensus of £13.4m.
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NewsThe Range rolls out new stores
Furniture, leisure and homeware chain The Range is pressing ahead with expansion plans with six more stores due to open before the year is out.
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NewsPortas guilty of unfairness to ScS, OFCOM says
Broadcasting watchdog OFCOM has found self-styled ‘Queen of Shops’ Mary Portas guilty of unfair treatment of furniture retailer ScS in her last series, Mary Portas, Secret Shopper.
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NewsHilco boss rakes in £4.5m in 2010
Hilco UK boss Paul McGowan took home a £4.5m bonus last year as the restructuring firm benefitted from snapping up ailing retailers.
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NewsSuccess stories help sector to outperform
The bad retail news of the last week from retailers ranging from Alexon to Kesa was counterweighted by success stories from store groups including Debenhams and Kingfisher.
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OpinionDunelm done well
In these times of tough trading and hard-to-come-by bank lending, you don’t often read this sort of thing in a preliminary results statement.
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GalleryIn pictures: Multiyork shifts to more up to date look
Furniture chain Multiyork has embarked on a revamp of its stores, product and pricing strategy as it seeks to present a more contemporary image.
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OpinionSelf-help retailers show how to buck the gloom
You’d expect Kingfisher to know a bit about do-it-yourself. But the self-help initiatives espoused by B&Q’s owner extend far beyond painting a wall or fitting a kitchen – it’s helping itself to strong results.
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NewsHarris mounts audacious assault on beds market
Floor coverings giant aims to take share from bed specialists Dreams and Bensons