COMMENT


No 5,836 - 11 May 2018 www.diyweek.net


Editor: Fiona Garcia 01622 699 161 fgarcia@datateam.co.uk


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In This Issue


© 2018 Datateam Business Media Ltd. DIY Week incorporates Decor Retailing, DIY Retail Leaders, DIY Superstore, Do-It-Yourself


Retailing, Domestic Electrical Appliances,


Excellence In Garden Retailing, Excellence In Woodcare Retailing, Excellence In Timber Retailing, Excellence In Tile Retailing, Garden Retail Leaders, Garden Retailing, Hardware Merchandiser, Hardware Trade Journal, Homecentre, Home Storage Retailing, The Ironmonger, Ironmongery & Hardware, Lighting, Martineau & Smith’s Monthly Circular, Mercantile Guardian, Superstore Management, Tools Retailing, and Wholesale Leaders. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission from the publishers. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published in DIY Week. However, Datateam Business Media Ltd will not be liable for any inaccuracies. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publishers. DIY Week is registered at Stationers’ Hall. ISSN 0954-8823. DIY Week is printed on environmentally friendly paper; both text paper and cover stock are elementary chlorine free and sourced from paper suppliers with a well planned environmental policy. This issue of DIY Week includes some editorial photographs provided and paid for by suppliers. Printed by Buxton Press.


P4 / NEWS


The latest headlines from across the home improvement and garden sector.


P15 / INDUSTRY INSIGHT We delve into the gender pay gap figures across the


DIY and garden industry.


“Let’s hope foootfall picks up and


retailers get the uplift they need”


Founded in 1874


Quick, make sales while the sun shines


Getting the issue off to the printers just a day before our awards this week has certainly kept the DIY Week team busy and, I have to admit to thinking on more than one occasion, that it just really wasn’t going to happen. But, to quote the opening of so many letters in films and on TV… ‘if you are reading this’… then we must have been successful. We celebrate British-made products in this issue, with insights from UK manufacturers on the issues they face and why they remain committed to producing their ranges in this country. We also reveal exciting news from one of the UK’s largest growers, Hillier, and find out more about its rich history with the Chelsea Flower Show and its plans for this year’s gardening event.


It certainly seems a fitting topic, since we have another Royal Wedding on the horizon, when flags and bunting will be a flutter and, if past Royal celebrations and sporting events are anything to go by, it should the perfect chance for retailers to shift a lot of outdoor lines, products for entertaining, fans, and pretty much anything emblazoned with a Union Jack. Now that the sun has made the decision to grace us with its presence and kick the


gardening season off, it would be nice for something else to give retailers in our industry another boost. And, if the Royal Wedding doesn’t do it, maybe the FA Cup final will. I know how hard everyone in the garden trade has been working to maximise every single minute they are open now the weather has improved in order to make up for the dent the Beast from the East put in early-season sales. So, with another Bank holiday not far off and the school holidays straight after, let’s hope footfall footfall picks up and the businesses that have seen a tough and sluggish start to the year get the uplift they need. Meanwhile, a host of retailers and suppliers will be celebrating for very different reasons on May 11, as we reveal the 2018 DIY Week Award winners. We will bring you all the good news from the event in the next issue.


Editor, Fiona Garcia: fgarcia@datateam.co.uk


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P12 / PEOPLE NEWS EXTRA


Rainy Day Trust CEO Bryan Clover discusses the new charity he has launched in memory of his daughter


www.diyweek.net P18 /RANGE REVIEW


A closer look at manufacturing in Britain and some of the great products on offer


11 MAY 2018 DIY WEEK 3 Published by


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