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No 5,853 - 23 March 2019 www.diyweek.net


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


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“There’s


nothing like a bit of change to get those creative juices flowing”


Founded in 1874


Watching the winners and losers this week


There have been several big headlines and changes to the retail landscape in recent weeks, with Debenhams in administration (and all the drama surrounding that), a management reshuffle at Travis Perkins – hot on the heels of Veronique Laury’s departure from Kingfisher – and now Dobbies taking the crown to become the UK’s largest garden centre operator, as Wyevale sheds another 37 centres this month. Of course, nothing ever stands still and we never expect the retail landscape to


remain unchanged for long, whether that’s through advancing technology, ever- evolving consumer behaviour or the launch of a raft of new store formats. But I wonder what consumers are making of it all – in between getting frustrated with the dreaded ‘B-word’ that shall not be named, and now worrying how quickly they can offload any unspent Debenhams gift vouchers before the inevitable round of store closures begin.


As well as covering all of the above in our news pages in this issue, we also have some top merchandising and POS tips to help you distract consumers from it all and, hopefully, inspire them to do some DIY or gardening. Plus, we speak to Kings DIY, an independent retailer that puts customer service and value above everything, and then take a closer look at the Dulux Academy, as the ground-breaking training facility celebrates its third birthday. It may be chaos out there but at least you can shut yourself away for a bit with this issue and see what ideas and inspiration you can take from our pages to help get shoppers spending.There’s nothing like a bit of change to get those creative juices flowing.


Editor, Fiona Garcia: fgarcia@datateam.co.uk In This Issue


© 2019 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


P11 / NEWS EXTRA We visit the flagship Dulux Academy to celebrate a


major milestone in the training centre’s history


We are proud to sponsor the Rainy Day Trust


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P17 / RETAILING


DIY Week Awards finalist Kings DIY reveals its tricks of the trade and why putting customers at ease is so crucial to inpiring novice DIYers


www.diyweek.net


MERCHANDISING Tips and advice on how to enhance your customers’ in-store experience


P22 / RANGE REVIEW: POS & 12 APRIL 2019 DIY WEEK 3 Published by


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