NEWS


Kitchen furniture sees 5%


growth in 2016 The UK domestic kitchen furniture market has grown steadily in recent years and particularly in 2015/2016 with value growth in the past two years reaching 5% per annum. There is also evidence of volume growth during this period. The kitchen furniture market is at the mature stage of its product lifecycle, with replacement sales accounting for almost 80% of sales, a share which had increased steadily in the past, but has remained stable in recent years. The kitchen furniture market comprises furniture, worktops and sinks, and it is estimated that furniture accounts for almost 80% of the market in value terms. The shares have been static


in recent years, although worktops had gained market share before the recession affected the market, driven by the trend towards higher value products in this sector. Rigid kitchens are now the norm, and are increasing their share of the market. The blurring of the distinction between the kitchen and dining room is a major factor affecting this market, with less formality in the home and a move towards open plan living, facilitating socialising, entertaining and relaxing, as well as the normal cooking and washing up activities. This move away from a functional form has meant that accessory suppliers have had to develop added value, innovative storage solutions. In terms of trends, curved cabinetry, soft- closing drawers, handle-less doors, open display shelving, sophisticated lighting and additional electrical appliances are increasing in popularity. High gloss finishes, stainless steel, frosted glass, wood and metallic finishes are all still popular, with combinations of materials frequently used to add interest, however, there are signs that softer finishes are growing in popularity.


Garden centre owner jailed for drugs and money laundering


The owner of Ravenshead Plant Centre near Nottingham has been jailed for eight years following an investigation into money laundering and the production of drugs at the business. Nottinghamshire Police launched the investigation back in 2013, finding a total of 70 cannabis plant stumps, 22 juvenile cannabis plants and cannabis seeds at the site. The officers also uncovered a network of money laundering after finding a large amount of cash.


Owner Dale Richmond, 57, was found guilty of conspiracy to produce cannabis as well as six counts of money laundering to the tune of more than £150,000 at Nottingham Crown Court. His stepson Warren Richmond and


Kevin Martin pleaded guilty to producing cannabis at the start of the trial back in 2015 and were given suspended sentences. John William Palfreyman and Neil Rose were also found guilty of conspiracy to produce cannabis. Though the trial was launched in the summer of 2015, it could not be reported on until now because of the risk of prejudicing the second trial – concerning the money laundering – which concluded last week.


Dale Richmond was sentenced to a further one and a half years after being found guilty of two counts of money laundering, to run consecutively with his previous sentence. The court also heard how Mr Richmond had also been a rogue builder.


The owner of Ravenshead Plant Centre (pictured) has been jailed after being found guilty of money laundering and conspiracy to produce cannabis at the garden centre


Sir Philip Green pays £363m towards BHS pension deficit


Former BHS owner Sir Philip Green has announced a £363m settlement towards the BHS pension scheme, which was left in a £571m deficit following the retailer’s collapse last year. The business tycoon, who has faced lengthy grilling by MPs over the sale of BHS to Dominic Chappell over the last few months, said his settlement would be “significantly better” than the scheme entering the Pension Protection Fund. The collapse of BHS last April left thousands redundant and the pension scheme directly affected around 22,000 people.


Sir Philip said, “I have made a voluntary contribution of up to £363 million to enable the trustees


of the BHS pension schemes to achieve a significantly better outcome than the schemes entering the Pension Protection Fund, which was the goal from the outset.”


He added, “The settlement follows lengthy, complex


Sir Philip Green said he hoped the settlement would draw the matter of BHS to a conclusion


discussions with the Pensions Regulator and the PPF, both of which are satisfied with the solution that has been offered. “To achieve a significantly


better outcome than entering the PPF, the contribution required to achieve this long-term solution was arrived at by the actuaries for both The Regulator and the Trustees.”


Retail sales “subdued” in February


UK retail sales fell by 0.4% on a like-for-like basis in February compared with the same month last year, when they had increased by 0.1% from the previous year. The figures come from the British Retail Consortium, which said the “subdued” month was down to a decline for non- food retailers, which was only marginally offset by a slight increase in food sales. On a total basis, sales rose 0.4% in February against a 1.1% increase in February 2016. The results remain below the


Consumers are moving towards open plan settings for their kitchens


www.diyweek.net


three-month average of 0.8% and the 12 month average of 0.9%. Over the three months


to February 2017 non-food retail sales declined by 0.4% like- for-like and 0.2% on a total basis. This is the first three-month decline since November 2011, dragging the 12-month total average growth to 0.6%, the lowest since May 2012.


Online sales of non- food goods grew by 7.7% in the three months to February 2017, while in-store sales declined 2.4% total and 2.6% like-for-like. Said BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson OBE, “Overall growth was subdued


Retailers suffered a slow February, and are facing “tough times ahead” according to the BRC


in February driven by a continuation of the slowdown in non-food sales. This was marginally offset by slightly stronger growth in food sales.”


Martin Elliott received the award on behalf of Home Hardware from the Hairy Bikers


10 MARCH 2017 DIY WEEK 3


Home Hardware wins top housewares wholesaler award


Home Hardware had cause to celebrate recently when the dealer-owned wholesaler was awarded Britain’s Best Housewares Wholesaler Award at the Housewares Innovation Awards 2017. Home Hardware ceo Martin Elliott collect the award from the Hairy Bikers in front of more than 450 people at the awards ceremony, hosted by DIY Week’s sister magazine Housewares Live.


Said Mr Elliott, “I was delighted that we had won ahead of stiff competition from the other UK major wholesalers.” The Housewares Innovation


Awards recognise the top achievements within the UK housewares industry. Mr Elliott added, “It’s a proud achievement and reflects all the commitment, effort and hard work of all our staff throughout the company together with the support and loyalty from our retailers.”


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