NEWS


Latest deals in the garden centre industry


Coolings Nurseries has acquired The Potted Garden Nursery, located close to Leeds Castle in Kent. The business is a retail nursery with the emphasis on selling quality plants. Chairman Paul Cooling said “We are over the moon to welcome the new team into the Coolings family. The focus on plants has always been paramount at Coolings and we look forward to being part of the next chapter in the history of this new site”.


Coolings managing director Gary Carvosso said: “We will work with the current team to further improve what is already a successful and profitable business. Plants will always remain at the core of what we do and will not be rushing into any additional investment just yet, as we are mindful to preserve the wonderful charm of the site”. The site is on the busy A20 close to the principle Kent town of Maidstone, and comes complete with planning permission for the introduction of catering and larger garden shop. The official handover date will be November 1.


Meanwhile, Selby Garden


Centre in Yorkshire has also been acquired. The garden centre, located at Hull Road in Osgodby.


Alexander Mackie Associates acted on behalf of its clients Mr and Mrs Ward, who bought the business in 2000. Selby Garden Centre has been purchased by Mr Noble who runs Victoria Farm Garden Centre & Café in Whitby, North Yorkshire with his family. Mr and Mrs Ward made the decision to sell the 5.25 acre garden centre business to fund their retirement.


Retailers losing £800 million per year to shoplifters


Britain’s shops collectively lose £800 million per year due to shoplifting, according to data derived from data. police.co.uk. OnBuy. com investigated the total number of offences that were recorded by 43 police forces/constabularies across England and Wales in the financial year April 2016- March 2017. Research revealed that the


Metropolitan Police had the highest number of shoplifting offences at 47,580 – the equivalent of 130 incidents a day, closely followed by West Midlands Police with 19,741 and Greater Manchester Police with 18,002.


“Considering the amount of time and energy that shops put into running various aspects of their operation daily, shoplifting is really an unfortunate occurrence for them,” said OnBuy.com managing director Cas Paton. “Shops can take various steps


to prevent shoplifters from targeting them including better staff training to identify potential offenders and storing high value items more securely”. “Train employees to watch out for behaviours which shoplifters typically display like paying more attention to their surroundings than the items, repeatedly picking up then putting down the same item(s) and ignoring attempts to help or engage with them.


Have one employee always


at the front of the shop greeting customers as they come in. This will be a clear indication to any potential shoplifter(s) that staff are aware of them and paying attention to their actions/ behaviour. “Carefully identify items which


are most likely to be stolen, either through previous experiences or because of their high value and take the necessary precautions to make them a harder target for shoplifters through storing them


in cabinets with locks or keeping them behind the counter. “Displaying an adequate number of signs throughout the store clearly stating ‘shoplifters will be prosecuted’ will demonstrate your firm stance on the matter; while those which say the store is protected by security cameras (even if they can’t be visibly seen), will deter


Home Depot joins Google Express


The Home Depot will join Google Express this autumn, adding the ability for its customers to shop through voice with the Assistant on Google Home, making it more convenient than ever for customers to shop however they want.


In the US Google Express


has previously worked with large retail brands like Walmart, Costco and Toys R Us. Home Depot market penetration is already deep in North America, with 2,282 stores.


Later this autumn, customers will have an additional way to purchase innovative products - with the Assistant on Google Home or on the Google Express website or app. “We’re focused on delivering convenience and value as we continue to invest in best-in-class interconnected experiences for our customers,” said Online President and Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Hofmann. “Google has been a key strategic partner for us over many years and we’re


Shoppers can buy from Home Depot via Google Express


excited to take our relationship to the next level with the Google Assistant and Google Express.”


Topps Tiles issues profits warning


Shares in Topps Tiles fell over 5% on October 4, down 2.5% to 72.88p, after the company issued a profits warning ahead of its full year results.


In a trading update, the


group said ‘challenging’ market conditions meant it now expected full-year profits to be at the ‘lower end’ of market expectations. Previously, the company’s profits were expected to be between £18.5million and £19.5million, down from an earlier estimate of £21.65million. Revenues for the year are expected to be in the region of £211.6million, down on £215million a year earlier. Over the past few months


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the company said its like-for- like sales have fallen by 3% but sales have seen a ‘moderate improvement’ in the final quarter. “It has been an important development year for the Group,” said chief executive Matthew Williams. “Significant strategic progress has been made and we remain excited by the growth opportunities open to us.


“Despite this, the tougher market conditions we first highlighted in Q2 continued into the final quarter and as a result, we are taking a prudent view on market conditions for the year ahead. “We remain focused on our


strategy of ‘Out Specialising the Specialists’ and are beginning to gain traction with a number of new initiatives. We have made progress in the commercial tile market, completing a small acquisition during the period and building more commercial capability internally. “We will update


shoplifters by making them aware they are actively being monitored. “Where possible use low- level aisles so that staff can see customers at all times. Identify blind spots and then use mirrors to provide a vantage point in these areas. Bright lighting will also help to deter potential shoplifters”.


Dunelm total revenue rise of 24.8%


British homewares retailer Dunelm reported total revenue for the first quarter rose by 24.8% to £247.9 million, showing a growth of £49.2 million. Total like-for-like revenue grew by 9.3%. Commenting on Dunelm’s performance, Chairman Andy Harrison said: “We have maintained the good momentum from the final quarter of the last financial year. Our like- for-like sales were boosted by favourable weather comparatives and, we continue to outperform the homewares market, with strong growth across the business, especially online. “The integration of the


Worldstores business continues on plan, with good progress in the quarter. We are on the way to becoming a genuine multi- channel retailer, with 16% of sales in the quarter online” Dunelm reports a growth of


Topps Tiles reports loss in shares of 2.5%


shareholders on this initiative in more detail at the time of our full year results in November.” In the past year Topps Tiles has opened five stores, bringing


its total estate across the UK to 372; and launched 34 tile ranges, with new products accounting for 9.2% of its tile sales for the year.


presence in the South-East and London, and now have 11 stores inside the M25. Mr Harrison continued: “We head into the second quarter having opened a number of new stores and with an improved seasonal offer for the Christmas period, which we’re sure will resonate well with customers.”


13 OCTOBER 2017 DIY WEEK 3


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