All Home & DIY articles – Page 256
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NewsLakeland unveils a new-look store design
Homewares retailer Lakeland has unveiled a new-look store design with the opening of its Durham shop.The 5,000 sq ft shop, which opened last week, features a demonstration kitchen to promote the retailer’s recently-launched own-brand electricals range, alongside an area to showcase kitchen essentials.The centrepiece of ...
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Clouds lift as steady first quarter cheers retail industry
Mood of cautious optimism emerges that trading conditions are starting to stabilise
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NewsDwell seeks foothold in concessions arena
Mid-market furniture chain Dwell is opening department store concessions for the first time as it seeks to widen its appeal.The retailer opened its first concession in Selfridges on London’s Oxford Street this week, taking a 4,000 sq ft space, and is in talks to open in House of Fraser at ...
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NewsRobert Dyas sets out plans after buyout
Hardware chain Robert Dyas has laid out a three-year strategy to revitalise the business after completing a management buyout last week.Chief executive Steve Round, along with turnaround specialist and new non-executive chairman Ian Gray, now wholly own the business after buying out private equity firm Change Capital.The three-year plan includes ...
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AnalysisWhat are you doing on Twitter?
The micro-blogging website is this year’s internet phenomenon, so can Twitter form part of a serious marketing and customer insight strategy for retailers? Joanna Perry investigates
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NewsDunelm’s strengths are in the price
Value homewares specialist Dunelm has been a favourite in the downturn. Investors like its low-ticket offer and the retailer expects to land good property deals as a result of others’ struggles, aiding expansion.On Monday, UBS downgraded Dunelm from buy to neutral, because Dunelm’s shares had performed so well rather than ...
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NewsCargo to open garden centre concessions
Furniture and homewares retailer Cargo will this week launch its first concession in a garden centre as it seeks to widen its appeal.
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DIY chains prepare Easter ad campaigns
DIY retailers are gearing up for the crucial Easter trading period with a series of high-profile marketing campaigns, but trade could be hit by changeable weather.
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NewsPerfectHome accelerates expansion
Rent-to-buy specialist PerfectHome is ramping up its store expansion as cash-strapped shoppers drive sales.
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NewsRobert Dyas completes management buyout
Hardware retailer Robert Dyas has completed its management buyout.The retailer, which said the deal is “fully supported” by its banks, said it will now be able to “build on its recent excellent trading performance while safeguarding the future of its employees and stores across the South of England”. Chief ...
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B&Q to personalise marketing
B&Q is to introduce more personalised marketing to customers in the second half of this year to better target specific segments such as older shoppers and trade customers.The DIY retailer has been analysing customer data using things like its Trade Discount Card, to work out how different customer segments behave, ...
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NewsHalf of Brits fear losing their jobs, according to Asda survey
Half the population fear losing their jobs during the next six months and two thirds would be prepared to take a pay cut or a reduction in hours to avoid being made redundant, according to an Asda survey.The survey of 1,000 people also found that half expect their pay to ...
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NewsRobert Dyas pays owners £2.75m
Robert Dyas has paid its private equity owners Change Capital £2.75m in fees for ‘strategic’ advice, according to The Daily Telegraph.It comes as the management team of the troubled retailer, led by chief executive Steve Round, is trying to secure a management buy-out of the company, which would, in effect, ...
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NewsRobert Dyas moves closer to rescue deal
Robert Dyas chief executive Steven Round is close to completing a management buyout of the business.
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OpinionKeep the international faith
Despite bumps in the road, emerging markets are still great opportunities, says Ian Cheshire
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Jysk makes early loss in UK but trading on the up
Jysk made a pre-tax loss of £1.9m in its first five months of operating in the UK due to the impact of start-up costs but said trading is “very good”.In the five months to August 31, 2008, the UK arm of the Danish furniture giant made sales of £1m in ...
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Robert Dyas considers debt-for-equity swap
Hardware retailer Robert Dyas is considering a debt-for-equity swap with its bank Lloyds.It is one of several options being assessed by the retailer’s owner, private equity firm Change Capital, as it seeks to navigate the downturn.Sources close to the situation said the idea does not mean that the retailer is ...
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DSGi to close its loss-making Nordic stores
DSGi will shut its loss-making Finnish chain Markantalo and Swedish chain PC City.The retailer is in negotiations to close 19 out of 23 stores under the Markantalo fascia, which was acquired in December 2005 for £33.6m. The remaining four shops will convert to Gigantti, the 26-store Finnish equivalent of DSGi’s ...
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Ian Cheshire pledges B&Q China turnaround after sales slump
B&Q owner Kingfisher will “reinvent” its store model in China as it prepares to slash shop space in the country by 40 per cent.The home improvement group’s B&Q China arm, which made losses of £52m and experienced a 24 per cent decline in sales in the year to January 31, ...