All Home & DIY articles – Page 236

  • H&M Home collection
    News

    H&M to launch Home collection in the UK

    2010-06-11T00:00:00Z

    Swedish fashion giant H&M has unveiled plans for the UK launch of its homewares range, which include an initial online launch before selling the line in one of its prominent Oxford Street stores.

  • Mark Saunders
    News

    Mark Saunders exits Habitat in shake-up at the top

    2010-06-11T00:00:00Z

    Habitat chief executive Mark Saunders has left the business following the hiring of former New Look boss Phil Wrigley as executive chairman last week.

  • Paul Loft
    Analysis

    Paul Loft: Holding Homebase’s place

    2010-06-11T00:00:00Z

    He may not court the limelight but the Homebase managing director is impressing by holding the retailer’s position in an increasingly competitive sector, says Nicola Harrison

  • News

    Pottery Barn to open in Kuwait

    2010-06-10T11:32:00Z

    Home furnishings retailer Williams-Sonoma will open its first Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids stores in Kuwait on June 16 as part of a multi-year deal with MH Alshaya Company. The 17,220 sq ft Pottery Barn and 8,070 sq ft Pottery Barn Kids stores will be located at The Avenues ...

  • Shop price inflation slowed to 1.8% in May, down from 2% in April
    News

    Shop price inflation slows to 1.8% in May

    2010-06-09T08:38:00Z

    Shop price inflation slowed to 1.8% in May, down from 2% in April,  according to the BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index.

  • Warmer weather lifts retail sales in May
    News

    Warmer weather lifts retail sales in May

    2010-06-08T08:47:00Z

    UK retail sales rose 0.8% on a like-for-like basis in May helped by warmer weather towards the end of the month according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.

  • Phil Wrigley has been appointed Habitat chairman
    News

    Habitat hires Phil Wrigley as executive chairman

    2010-06-07T08:50:00Z

    Furniture chain Habitat has appointed former New Look boss Phil Wrigley as executive chairman.

  • Laura Ashley to hit full year expectations as sales grow
    News

    Laura Ashley to hit full year expectations as sales grow

    2010-06-04T09:38:00Z

    Laura Ashley has said that full year trading will be in line with expectations as it revealed a like-for-like sales hike of 5.3% in the 17 weeks to May 29.

  • ToppsTiles
    News

    Floors-2-Go and Topps Tiles in dispute over email allegations

    2010-06-04T00:00:00Z

    Topps Tiles has become embroiled in a row with floorings retailer Floors-2-Go over allegations that an email was circulated by a Topps employee making allegations about Floors-2-Go’s performance.

  • HDTVs
    News

    World Cup no open goal for retailers in tough climate

    2010-06-04T00:00:00Z

    Lower footfall and margin impact from promotions will create fiercely competitive trading conditions

  • Dreams
    Analysis

    What it’s like to work at Dreams

    2010-06-04T00:00:00Z

    The inside view from Dreams resources director Suzanne Taylor

  • Peterborough Garden Centre
    Analysis

    Flower power

    2010-06-04T00:00:00Z

    Canny operators are turning the humble garden centre into an anchor for retail schemes. Mark Faithfull unearths some trailblazing examples

  • homesense_website.jpg
    News

    HomeSense reveals large format and website plans

    2010-06-04T00:00:00Z

    Off-price furniture retailer HomeSense, the sister brand of TK Maxx, has opened a new-model, larger-format store in Merry Hill as it gears up to launch its first transactional website.

  • Lakeland
    Analysis

    Lakeland

    2010-06-04T00:00:00Z

    Last week, Lakeland came out top in a study of UK retailers by consumer group Which? We examine what makes the retailer so popular

  • News

    Costco Q3 sales up 12%

    2010-06-03T16:56:00Z

    Costco has reported $17.4bn (£11.93bn) net sales for the third quarter, a 12% year-on-year increase.The results were driven by increased sales of fresh foods, clothing and homewares. Comparable sales for the quarter grew 10%, with a 6% rise at US stores and a 26% rise overseas. In constant currency terms ...

  • News

    Hornback full-year sales rise 3.7%

    2010-06-03T16:51:00Z

    DIY retailer Hornbach has released its financial results for the year ended February 28, when sales rose 3.7% to €2.85bn (£2.42bn). EBIT fell 15.4% to €151.5m (£128.5m).In Germany, store sales increased 2.8%, and 1.8% on a like-for-like basis. Meanwhile, Hornbach’s international division grew 4.2%, although like-for-like sales contracted by 0.9%. ...

  • Cheshire: 'Kingfisher made good start to year'
    News

    Self-help measures drive Kingfisher quarterly profits rise

    2010-06-03T08:59:00Z

    Improved gross margin and cost productivity helped DIY giant Kingfisher post a rise in first quarter profits despite a like-for-like sales fall.

  • Topps Tiles adjusted profit before tax and discontinued operations fell from £8.7m to £7.8m
    News

    Topps Tiles profit falls in first half

    2010-06-02T08:36:00Z

    Topps Tiles adjusted profit before tax and discontinued operations fell from £8.7m to £7.8m in the 27 weeks to April 3 as consumer confidence remains subdued.

  • Sunglasses and sandals sold well at John Lewis stores last week
    News

    Demand for warm weather product lifts John Lewis sales

    2010-05-28T07:37:00Z

    Warm weather helped increase sales at department store chain John Lewis and grocery stablemate Waitrose last week.

  • Lord kirkham cutout
    Opinion

    Who said anything about retiring?

    2010-05-28T00:00:00Z

    Selling DFS might have been a surprise, but there’s plenty more to do yet, says Lord Kirkham