All Home & DIY articles – Page 254
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OpinionThe new frugality is here to stay
Conspicuous consumption is out, thrift and sustainability are in, says Ian Cheshire
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News
Ikea to suspend further investment in Russia
Ikea is to suspend further investment in Russia, which experts believe is because of apparent corruption and bribery in the country.Ikea Russia director Per Kaufmann said: “Ikea wishes to invest in Russia to serve our customers and bring jobs and growth. Yet, as long as the principal issues being crucial ...
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NewsB&Q launch monthly bonus scheme for store staff
B&Q has launched a £12m monthly bonus scheme for store staff to incentivise its workforce.
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NewsCarpetright profits tumble 72 per cent
Carpetright’s group pre-tax profit has slumped 72 per cent to £16.7m in the 52 weeks to May 2, 2009 as the domestic performance pulled down the group.
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OpinionTrouble on the Allied (Carpets) front
A trip to Croydon’s Purley Way does much to put Allied Carpets’ recent difficulties in perspective. This is a location where Allied Carpets and rival Carpetright are side by side, providing a straightforward compare and contrast exercise.
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NewsFocus weighs up options for costly closed stores
Struggling DIY chain Focus is exploring “all avenues” as it seeks to shake off the £12m-a-year strain its 20-plus closed stores are putting it under.
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News
Administration looms for Allied Carpets division
Allied Carpets Properties, a subsidiary of the carpets retailer, has filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator. BDO Stoy Hayward is understood to have been lined up for the role.
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NewsRetailers report falling sales in June survey
Nearly half of retailers reported falling year-on-year sales in the year to June, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey.
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NewsIkea makes redundancies as growth slows
Ikea has made 5,000 redundancies this year as it seeks to navigate through the toughest furniture market in memory.
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OpinionHabitat and the Twitter backlash
Habitat has provided a perfect case study in how not to use social media with its clumsy attempts to insert popular internet keywords into its promotional Twitter posts.
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NewsHabitat says misuse of Twitter keywords was a mistake
Habitat has been accused of trying to hijack interest in the Iranian election to drive users of the blogging site Twitter to posts about its special offer and Sale.
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NewsFocus mulls CVA
Struggling DIY retailer Focus is considering a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in a bid to secure its future.
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NewsHouseholds better off but still reluctant to spend
The average household’s discretionary income has risen by 25 per cent to £1,075 over the past 12 months, but consumers remain cautious about splashing out in stores.
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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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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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NewsConran Shop launches entry-level price range
The Conran Shop is to roll out a lower-priced range in an attempt to introduce new customers to the brand who might have perceived it as too expensive.
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NewsHomebase scores for Home Retail Group
Recent sunny weather has helped DIY chain Homebase, which notched up a like-for-like sales increase of 3.8 per cent in the 13 weeks to May 30.
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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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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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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.