A YEAR IN REVIEW


PRESENTS 2019 DIY WEEK


It’s been another busy twelve months in the world of DIY, with political uncertainty, the economy, adverse weather and changes in buying habits all playing their part in affecting retail sales. The industry has coped with these challenges with varying degrees of success, so here we bring you a round up of news headlines from throughout the last year which tell the story…


JANUARY


• ProCook buys Steamer Trading in pre- pack deal


• Dobbies reports 21% uplift over Christmas


• Plans for new Aldi and Wickes in Isle of Wight


• Grafton Group delivers revenue growth • Sainsburys profit start to plummet • Challenging market dents Topps’ profits


FEBRUARY


• Smart Garden Products buys Briers out of administration


• B&Q leaks data on 7,000 suspected shoplifters


• SCS pulls out of talks to buy Sofa.com • Latest round of Wyevale centres sold to BGC and Rochmills Group


• Ironmongery Direct completes major distribution centre expansion


• Tileflair expands with new showroom in Oxford


MARCH


• Wyevale announces sale two more centres • Screwfix opens new store • New sponsors show support for DIY Week Awards


• Better Bathrooms goes into administration • Cmostores.com doubles turnover following KCP investment


• Heatwave sees opportunities in lawncare APRIL


• Debenhams CEO plans exit, as shareholder stakes wiped out


• Turnaround on track, says Homebase • Easter Weekend sees sales soar • Leekes awarded accolade at the Finance Awards


• Sainsburys Asda merger blocked by CMA • Carpetright restructure restores confidence amongst customers


MAY


• Travis Perkins reports strong profit growth in Q1 results


• Ikea partners with children organisation Barnardo’s


• Kingfisher launches new brand GoodHome in Wallington


• Tile Mountain acquires Walls and Floors • Revenue “flat” for Akzo Q1 figures • Borrowing for home improvements on the rise


JUNE


• Screwfix scraps DIY Express format • Pass rates in underage knife test sales improve but “still work to do”


• Wickes ‘half price’ kitchen advert banned • Mike Ashley launches legal battle over Debenhams CVA


• John Lewis announces integration of home improvement services


• High street footfall drops 4.8% but long- term trend is positive


JULY


• Debenhams calls on Mike Ashley to drop legal action


• Dunelm sees double digit growth in Q4 • John Lewis expands Home Solutions to the South East


• Squires snaps up Heathlands Garden Centre from Wyevale


• Further Homebase closures ahead • Amazon workers strike during Prime Day


AUGUST


• Wickes to officially de-merge from Travis Perkins


• New customers help boost Pets at Home revenue in Q1


• Stax acquires MP Smith & Co • Consumer spend left languishing despite summer sun


• Wyevale sells more garden centres • DIY and garden shoppers favour physical outlets over online


www.diyweek.net DECEMBER


• B&Q unveils completely new kitchen offering


• The Telegraph selects Amtech as a key brand of interest


• Timber Focus partners with Homebase • Disappointing Q3 results for Kingfisher • Pleasing sales report from Howdens • Wilko appoints new head of design


23 DECEMBER 2019 DIY WEEK 19 SEPTEMBER


• Al-Murad snaps up British Ceramic Tiles • Weak consumer spending see retail prices decrease


• Toolbank parent overhauls HR & payroll system


• John Lewis becomes first UK retailer to apply for self-supply water license


• Dunelm sees strong growth in store & online • Businesses come together to urge business rates inquiry results


OCTOBER


• Better Bathrooms set to ‘smash’ record- high revenue of £50m in two years


• Industry leaders comment on government’s new housebuilding figures


• British group presents new product launches at CIPS


• Benjamin Moore announces Homeflair as new stockist


• Revealed: The top 20 bathroom trends according to Instagram


• Christmas tree shortage hits the UK NOVEMBER


• Homebase partners with Neptune to support focus on customer service


• BMA pledges to make compliance number one priority


• Topps Tiles launches new website with dedicated trade platform


• Worcester Bosch pledges support to ‘Time to Change’ movement


• Bushboard Evolve used in DIY SOS Big Build


• Notcutts announces chairman Nicky Dulieu is stepping down


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