Kingfisher upgrades profit forecast
Kingfisher, the group that operates B&Q and Screwfix in the UK, increased sales by 26% in June. Half year profits will be ahead of last year. Read more - members only
Kingfisher upgrades profit forecast
Kingfisher, the group that operates B&Q and Screwfix in the UK, increased sales by 26% in June. Half year profits will be ahead of last year. Read more - members only
Dobbies partners with Sainsbury’s to sell groceries
Dobbies has partnered with Sainsbury’s to sell a range of the supermarket’s food and groceries at its garden centres. Read more - members only
Northern Irish growers to share £1.5m support package
The HTA reports a £1.5m COVID-19 support package is being offered to Northern Ireland horticultural businesses and calls again for a grant aid scheme for British growers. Read more - open to all
Garden centres are cautious about restaurant reopening
While Dobbies are reopening their restaurants as soon as permitted, others are adopting a more cautious approach. Some are not opening this month. Read more - open to all
SBM restructures its European marketing team
SBM has restructured its European marketing team adding four including James Ramnought in the UK as head of marketing for North West Europe (United Kingdom / Benelux). Read more - members only
The BBC has reported that a man has died in what has been described as a "tragic accident" at Westland's peat plant in Dungannon, County Tyrone. Read more - open to all
Homebase restructures SSO and closes Wallington office
News has been published by Insight DIY of a significant restructuring of the Homebase business which took place earlier this week. Read more - open to all
Record sales for Klondyke since lockdown
2019 Results show steady sales and profit growth for Klondyke. Subsequently, the company weathered the Covid-19 lockdown without needing extra funds and has had 3 weeks of record sales. Read more - members only
Merger creates Europe’s largest hydroponics distributor
UK based HydroGarden has merged with leading German hydroponics wholesaler, Grow In, based in Berlin, creating the largest hydroponics wholesaler in the European market. Read more - members only
England's driest May leads to record demand for water
May was the sunniest on record and the driest in England at only 17% of the average, leading to a call to cut back on paddling pools and sprinklers. Read more - members only
B&M sales surge as DIY and garden retailers are closed
B&M has revealed like-for-like sales grew +22.7% in the first 8 weeks of the new financial year, driven by exceptionally strong DIY and gardening. Read more - members only
Broil King aims to be number 1 in the UK
Broil King BBQs aim to become the dominant market leader in the UK luxury BBQ sector within 3 years. Read more - members only
Manufacturers struggling to keep up with growing media demand
Unprecedented consumer demand for growing media, even during the lockdown, means manufacturers are struggling to keep up with deliveries. Read more - open to all
Ivyline introduces Cleaner Retail to help retailers re-open
Ivyline, best known for its range of trend-led indoor plant pots, has launched Cleaner Retail to help retailers get ready to open, remain compliant in regards to hygiene and social distancing. Read more - open to all
Homebase begins to lift Covid-19 lockdown
On Saturday 25th April, Homebase says it will be trialling the opening of 20 stores, with strict controls in place to ensure shopping is safe for everyone. Read more - open to all
Woodlodge buys Adobe Wholesale and The Garden Foundry
Leading pot supplier, Woodlodge, is extending its garden decoration offer with the acquisition of Adobe Wholesale and The Garden Foundry. Read more - members only
Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre is closing later this month
Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre at Bromsgrove is closing later this month. The garden centre is being sold by Nicci and Neil Gow. Read more - members only
Two acquisitions for Eliza Tinsley
Eliza Tinsley has bought Reedy Tools and Greenman Garden Tools. Read more - members only
Wyevale Garden Centres has been wound up
On 28th May Wyevale Garden Centres Ltd, one of garden centres’ biggest names disappeared into history, when it was wound up after trading for 58 years. We look back through the years. Read more - members only
Immediate action saved Blue Diamond from a very serious financial problem
2019 results show Blue Diamond had a strong year. What followed with Covid-19 threatened up to 3 months with no sales. “This would have been a tragedy as well as a major financial loss.” Read more - members only
‘done is better than perfect’ replaces One Kingfisher
Along with its annual results, the new CEO of Kingfisher, Thierry Garnier, reveals a new strategy for Kingfisher. “It needs to be simpler, leaner, more agile, open to partnerships, and even more customer-focused.” Read more - members only
Garden Centre in Bury St Edmunds to close
Marlows Home and Garden Centre in Bury St Edmunds is to close, blaming poor trading conditions caused by Coronavirus. Read more - members only
Positive Covid-19 test closes B&Q store - UPDATED
UPDATED B&Q reacted quickly to a positive Coronavirus test of a staff member, asking customers to immediately leave its store in Wallasey. Now a second store, in Wales, has been closed. Read more - open to all
Parasene set to return to the market
The Parasene brand has been bought by a former employee, John Cartwright, the owner of Fireside Products Ltd. Read more - members only
Dobbies signs as anchor at proposed Tewkesbury designer outlet
Dobbies has signed up as the leisure anchor at the planned Designer Outlet Cotswolds at J9 of the M5, close to Ashchurch. It is planned to open in 2022. Read more - members only
Scottish Garden Centres may open from Friday 29th
Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland can now move to phase one of easing the lockdown. Garden centres will be permitted to reopen from Friday 29th May. Read more - open to all
Scottish garden centres are likely to re-open from 28th May
Nicola Sturgeon has announced that Scottish garden centres are likely be permitted to reopen from 28th May as part of limited easing of the lockdown. Read more - open to all
Kingfisher sales down -24%
Kingfisher, owner of B&Q and Screwfix, has sufficient cash reserves to withstand a long period of reduced sales, according to its latest quarterly report. Read more - members only
The Gardens Group donates surplus stock to charities, hospitals and schools
The Gardens Group is putting excess stock to good use in support of key workers and everyone doing their bit to stay home throughout the lockdown, donating unsold plants to carers, hospital staff and teachers. Read more - open to all
B&Q reopens 14 stores
B&Q has reopened 14 stores as a trial, with the garden centres selling a range of self-service plants. A range of plant bundles are also available from DIY.com. Read more - open to all