All Home & DIY articles – Page 203

  • Robert Clark
    Opinion

    Laura Ashley’s impressive revival

    2011-10-07T00:00:00Z

    Despite a chequered history, descending from quintessential UK design icon of the 1960s and 1970s, enjoying international acceptance in the 1980s to spending much of the 1990s in deep trouble, Laura Ashley’s originally faltering but impressive 2000s revival is a textbook example of retail really being detail.

  • A gift and accessories format was opened at Liverpool Street station last year
    News

    In focus: Laura Ashley

    2011-10-07T00:00:00Z

    Laura Ashley has had a turbulent history since its launch in the 1960s by the eponymous fabric designer and her husband.

  • Dunelm_Mill.jpg
    News

    Dunelm store in flames on Coventry retail park

    2011-10-06T11:34:00Z

    A large fire has broken out in a Dunelm store on the Orchard Retail Park, in the Willenhall area of Coventry.

  • H&M, Westfield Stratford City
    News

    H&M opens at Westfield Stratford City

    2011-10-06T11:11:00Z

    H&M has opened its second-largest store in the UK at Westfield Stratford City.

  • David_Cameron_blue.jpg
    News

    Cameron urges households to pay off credit and store card debt

    2011-10-05T08:59:00Z

    Prime Minister David Cameron will today warn millions of cash-strapped households that they should pay off their credit card and store card debt as Britain aims to rebuild itself.

  • Dunelm like-for-likes declined 2% in the 13 weeks to October 1
    News

    Dunelm like-for-likes drop 2% in first quarter

    2011-10-05T08:26:00Z

    Value homewares retailer Dunelm like-for-likes declined 2% in the 13 weeks to October 1.

  • Wickes has hired Martin Roberts as its new operations director
    News

    Wickes hires ex Sainsbury's executive as operations director

    2011-10-04T10:45:00Z

    DIY retailer Wickes has hired former Sainsbury’s executive Martin Roberts as its new operations director.

  • Garden Centre Group Weybridge
    News

    Garden Centre Group sales bounce back as suitors circle

    2011-10-04T09:51:00Z

    Garden Centre Group has benefited from the warm weather and a focus on plants to achieve a 7% rise in sales this year.

  • News

    Bed Bath & Beyond reports net sales increase

    2011-10-04T07:00:00Z

    Home furnishings retailer Bed Bath & Beyond has reported net sales for the second quarter ended August 27, 2011 increased by 8.3% to $2.3bn (£1.5bn). Like-for-like store sales in the financial second quarter of 2011 increased by approximately 5.6% compared with the period the year before. Net earnings grew by ...

  • Sales in baking have helped drive Lakeland's top line
    News

    Lakeland warns of "miserable" 2011 despite profits rise last year

    2011-10-03T16:14:00Z

    Lakeland grew profits and sales last year but the homewares retailer has said that 2011 has been “miserable” in the last two months.

  • UNP_Morrisons_Giffnock_Opening012.jpg
    News

    Morrisons eyes Garden Centre Group

    2011-10-03T09:02:00Z

    Supermarket Morrisons is considering bidding for garden centre specialists Garden Centre Group, formerly known as Wyevale.

  • News

    Ikea reveals sales increase

    2011-09-30T07:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • Multichannel success means Wickes can take the same money from less space
    News

    Wickes to shrink stores as web transforms retail

    2011-09-30T00:00:00Z

    1.4 million sq ft to be ditched as online reduces need for physical store space

  • The Range
    News

    Inflationary pressures hit The Range

    2011-09-30T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • The makeover succeeds in treading a fine line by providing novelty without alienating the existing customer base
    Analysis

    Marks & Spencer: Finding its way

    2011-09-30T00:00:00Z

    Marks & Spencer is piloting a new in-store look aimed at improving navigation and making its in-store brands more obvious. John Ryan reports

  • Bill Carrahar
    Analysis

    Bill Carrahar

    2011-09-30T00:00:00Z

    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’

  • B&Q
    Analysis

    Out of the ashes

    2011-09-30T00:00:00Z

    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.

  • Tim Danaher
    Opinion

    Grocery retailing isn’t just about price

    2011-09-30T00:00:00Z

    It would have been hard for Tesco’s Big Price Drop to live up to the hype that built up before its launch.

  • Nick Moore
    News

    Conran Shop opens 'Play Zone'

    2011-09-28T17:18:00Z

    The Conran Shop has opened a new ‘Play Zone’ where you won’t be the only adult playing around.

  • House of Reeves lost £250,000 worth of stock
    News

    Riot-hit furniture store House of Reeves to be rebuilt

    2011-09-28T10:27:00Z

    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.