All Home & DIY articles – Page 252
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News
Ikea abandons India investment plans
Ikea has abandoned $1bn (£611.2m) investment plans for India due to the red tape that still exists for foreign retail entrants.The furniture giant had been considering launching in India but wanted to do so with full ownership, which the law does not allow foreign retailers to do.After the election of ...
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News
US DIY spending ‘lowest in 60 years’
US DIY spending as a percentage of America’s GDP is at its lowest in 60 years, Home Depot boss Frank Blake said.However, the retailer expects a smaller fall in annual earnings than previously feared. Originally a decline of 7 per cent was forecast but it is now expected to be ...
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NewsRetail sales slip in May
Retail sales volume fell 0.6 per cent month on month in May and was down 1.6 per cent year on year, ONS data showed. Sales by value were down 1.1 per cent compared with May 2008.
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News
Steamer profits lift as it defies dire market
Kitchenware retailer Steamer Trading Cookshop has defied dire trading conditions to reveal a lift in full-year profits.
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NewsCargo owner launches soft furnishings chain
The parent company of furniture retailer Cargo has launched a new textiles and soft furnishings chain using the brand Homestyle.
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NewsHomebase records first quarterly like-for-like sales growth since 2007
Home Retail Group has revealed a better than expected sales performance in its first quarter as it grew market share and benefited from the warm weather.
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NewsProduct of the Year logo recognised by half of UK consumers
The Product of the Year logo has experienced a “dramatic” rise in awareness levels among UK consumers.
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NewsWyevale appoints new chairman
Wyevale Garden Centres has appointed Andrew Sells as its new chairman.
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NewsWarm weather brings mixed fortunes for John Lewis Partnership
John Lewis had a tough week last week as the warm weather hit footfall and sales at its stores.
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NewsMay like-for-like sales hold up
Retail sales dipped again in May, after growing in March and April.
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Opinion
Gearing up for green shoots
As someone old enough to have endured the last recession, I recall that consumption GDP and the retail sector recovered relatively quickly – it took a modest three years for consumption to reach its pre-recession peak after the 1990s slump.
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NewsSofa Workshop plans franchise roll-out
Sofa Workshop plans to roll out franchised stores as Andrew Cussins, the founder who bought the retailer out of administration in January, steps back from the running of the business.
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NewsKingfisher surprises City with ‘stormingly good’ first quarter
Kingfisher beat analysts’ forecasts with its first-quarter trading update and wants to capitalise on the Irish market now that rival Wickes has halted its expansion plans there.
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News
Jysk ramps up expansion plans for China
Danish furniture giant Jysk has ramped up its expansion plans for China, with plans for up to 10 stores next year – an increase on the four it had initially slated.The move will see it take on Ikea in the country, which aims to have nine stores in China by ...
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News
Praktiker chief exec expects German economy to pick up soon
Wolfgang Werner, chief executive of DIY chain Praktiker, has called the bottom of the market in Germany and said he expects the economy there to be picking up soon. Werner said sales had “distinctly stabilised” over April and May, meaning it has “largely” compensated for the sales decline in the ...
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NewsTopps Tiles moots options to bolster sales
Topps Tiles is considering potential new revenue streams, including business to business, and mulling whether to pull out of Holland.
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NewsMarks & Spencer Westfield London makeover as big-ticket sales struggle
Marks & Spencer is expected to begin a realignment of its Westfield London store, reflecting the challenges retailers have had selling furniture and groceries in the centre.
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NewsWickes turns focus from beds to bathrooms
DIY chain Wickes has replaced its entire bedroom and conservatory range with bathrooms in all stores as it seeks to capitalise on the “mass market” nature of the category.
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NewsTrading Bargains to ramp up expansion
The Range owner Chris Dawson will continue with aggressive expansion plans for Trading Bargains, the brand he set up to sell stock bought following the collapse of MFI.
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News
Promotions lift Laura Ashley sales
Sales at Laura Ashley jumped 8.4 per cent in the 17 weeks to May 30, due mainly to targeted promotions and store openings. Like-for-like sales rose 6.9 per cent.