All Home & DIY articles – Page 249
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NewsRetail insolvencies rise 60 per cent
Retail collapses soared in the first quarter as companies fell victim to falling consumer confidence and a deteriorating financing environment.On average, more than seven retailers hit the wall a day in the three months to March. The number of insolvencies jumped 24 per cent on the previous quarter, according to ...
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NewsRetail sales bounce back in March
Retail sales volumes returned to positive territory in March, driven by a strong performance from food and fashion retailers.
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News
Tengelmann to relaunch online store Plus
Grocer Tengelmann plans to relaunch its non-food online store Plus later this year, according to reports. The project will extend the online shop’s product range to around 10,000 items by the end of this year.New product ranges will include electronics, DIY and furniture. The site will also feature innovations such ...
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OpinionCarpetright on solid ground
The latest BRC retail sales figures showed that while some sectors were up after several months of poor trade, the furniture and floor coverings sector worsened. But next week we may well see one retailer faring better than most in its sector – Carpetright.
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OpinionMy word is my bond
Renegotiating deals after signing them is not the way to deal with recession, says Lord Kirkham
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AnalysisSocial Trends: How Britain behaves
Modern Britain is changing, and if retailers are to survive the downturn understanding these evolving social trends could make all the difference.
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News
B&Q awards £9m of shares to staff
B&Q is awarding £9m of shares in parent company Kingfisher to more than 300 store managers in order to maintain high store operating standards.
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NewsLondon like-for-likes climb 5.1 per cent
London retail sales grew 5.1 per cent on a like-for-like basis in March, outperforming the UK as a whole which declined 1.2 per cent.The British Retail Consortium-KPMG figures show like-for-likes grew 5.8 per cent in January to March, while UK like-for-likes dropped 0.7 per cent.The BRC said comparisons were difficult ...
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NewsBRC demands credit insurance redress at Budget
Half of large retailers say the reduction or withdrawal of trade credit insurance has undermined their ability to trade.According to the British Retail Consortium’s Credit Conditions Survey, 40 per cent of small and medium-sized retailers also say the reduction or withdrawal has undermined their position.Two thirds of larger retailers believe ...
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OpinionKingfisher well placed for future
This year Easter is just one battle in a longer war of attrition between the DIY groups that many believe will end in consolidation.
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NewsLakeland unveils a new-look store design
Homewares retailer Lakeland has unveiled a new-look store design with the opening of its Durham shop.The 5,000 sq ft shop, which opened last week, features a demonstration kitchen to promote the retailer’s recently-launched own-brand electricals range, alongside an area to showcase kitchen essentials.The centrepiece of ...
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Clouds lift as steady first quarter cheers retail industry
Mood of cautious optimism emerges that trading conditions are starting to stabilise
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NewsDwell seeks foothold in concessions arena
Mid-market furniture chain Dwell is opening department store concessions for the first time as it seeks to widen its appeal.The retailer opened its first concession in Selfridges on London’s Oxford Street this week, taking a 4,000 sq ft space, and is in talks to open in House of Fraser at ...
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NewsRobert Dyas sets out plans after buyout
Hardware chain Robert Dyas has laid out a three-year strategy to revitalise the business after completing a management buyout last week.Chief executive Steve Round, along with turnaround specialist and new non-executive chairman Ian Gray, now wholly own the business after buying out private equity firm Change Capital.The three-year plan includes ...
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AnalysisWhat are you doing on Twitter?
The micro-blogging website is this year’s internet phenomenon, so can Twitter form part of a serious marketing and customer insight strategy for retailers? Joanna Perry investigates
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NewsDunelm’s strengths are in the price
Value homewares specialist Dunelm has been a favourite in the downturn. Investors like its low-ticket offer and the retailer expects to land good property deals as a result of others’ struggles, aiding expansion.On Monday, UBS downgraded Dunelm from buy to neutral, because Dunelm’s shares had performed so well rather than ...
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NewsCargo to open garden centre concessions
Furniture and homewares retailer Cargo will this week launch its first concession in a garden centre as it seeks to widen its appeal.
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DIY chains prepare Easter ad campaigns
DIY retailers are gearing up for the crucial Easter trading period with a series of high-profile marketing campaigns, but trade could be hit by changeable weather.
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NewsPerfectHome accelerates expansion
Rent-to-buy specialist PerfectHome is ramping up its store expansion as cash-strapped shoppers drive sales.