COMMENT Happy New Year? Acting editor, Jenny Wonnacott: jwonnacott@datateam.co.uk


“Robert Dyas, too, reported a downturn in sales in an announce- ment echo- ing with dire warnings...”


No sooner had we returned to our desks after the Christmas break, the news started pouring in that sales over the New Year weekend were not as good as expected, that retailers had been hoping for better. It certainly seemed to be the case for some, like Next, whose directors admitted the retailer’s sales performance over Christmas fell somewhat short of expectations. Robert Dyas, too, reported a downturn in sales in an announcement echoing with dire warnings for the high street from owner Theo Paphitis. Other retailers, such as B&M, reported great sales, but seemed reluctant to show too much optimism in the face of what will likely be a difficult year of price hikes in the wake of the pound’s devaluation... Then another week passed. And the major players began to report. Debenhams, Tesco and M&S (who only weeks ago was lamenting the slow sales of its home department and pledging a mass closure) all reported an upturn in sales over the holidays. And then there came Sainsbury’s, whose acquisition of Argos could arguably be cited as the reason its turnover nudged into the black this year. Lastly, but certainly not least, there are the DIYWeek.net readers, who, when polled, responded in their masses (99% of more than 1,200 votes) to say that footfall had been good so far this January and that plenty of shoppers were out looking for a bargain. With that, and the season of DIY trade shows almost upon us – not to mention the DIY Week Awards – maybe it is a Happy New Year after all.


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© 2015 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.


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No 5,808 20 January 2017 www.diyweek.net


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PEOPLE NEWS


Wolfcraft bolsters management team


Hand tools and accessories manufacturer Wolfcraft is investing in its own sales and marketing operation in the UK, in a move to maximise its brand in the UK home improvement market.


The family-run German company,


which has relied


on wholesalers for the last eight years, is keen to build its profile with UK retailers, having recently expanded its production


and distribution


operations across Europe. This newest activity will


see Wolfcraft UK working with builders’ merchants, independent DIY and hardware stockists and the leading DIY multiples, targeting both the professional end user and the DIY market alike. Wolfcraft’s new business development manager Thomas Kiddie has a background in sales customer relations, both in the UK and overseas. Speaking of his new role, Mr Kiddie said, “Wolfcraft’s commitment creating ingenious,


to problem solving tools and accessories


is second to none and I am confident that the UK market presents us with a massive opportunity to drive the brand forward.


Yale takes smart step forward


Yale continues to strengthen its Smart Living division with the appointment of a new member to the team. Software specialist Andy Winton has been selected as the new product manager of Cloud Servers for Yale Smart Living. Equipped with 20 years experience in this field, Mr Winton’s previous roles


8 DIY WEEK 20 JANUARY 2017


include principle software engineer at Ultra Electronics in Derby. Mr Winton’s position at Yale


will see him manage and develop the Smart Living cloud servers. Commenting on his new role, Mr Winton said: “I have wide range of experience in this sector, so it is exciting for me to bring new ideas to the table.“


Former Klondyke ceo joins Kelkay board of directors


Following his recent retirement from the role of chief executive at Klondyke Garden Centres, Bob Hewitt is set to take up a new part time role with Kelkay which he plans to run alongside his responsibilities as non-executive chairman at Klondyke.


Mr Hewitt began his garden


retail career at Wyevale almost 30 years ago and he has spent the past 10 years at the helm at Klondyke where he has built his reputation as one of the most respected retail professionals in the garden sector.


Said Kelkay boss Antony


Harker, “We’ve come a long way since we started Kelkay and we’ve learnt a lot along the way, but of course, we are still a family business. Garden Centres have been at the centre of our strategy and we believe we understand their needs pretty well. To help us further develop our product and services for garden centres, I’m thrilled that Bob has agreed to join us. His experience and insight into the needs of garden centres, large and small, will be so valuable. I’m really looking forward to


Bob Hewitt with Antony Harker of Kelkay


working with him.”


Commenting on his appointment Mr Hewitt said, “I’ve watched this family business develop during my time in the garden industry and Kelkay has become a significant and key supplier over the years. Antony has been a real innovator and he now leads one of the most exciting small businesses in the garden sector. Added to the fact that he is a thoroughly decent bloke with such a hard working team around him, I’m delighted to call him a friend as well as an important business associate.”


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