COMMENT Battle of the trade shows Acting editor, Jenny Wonnacott: jwonnacott@datateam.co.uk


From Spring Fair to Totally, not to mention the DIY Week Awards sandwiched in the middle, it’s certainly been an eventful few weeks for the industry.


“The industry does need a strong trade show – but having two so close together just doesn’t work”


Some say Spring Fair was the place to be for all those serious about making the meaningful DIY connections – and while it certainly had some of the bigger names among the exhibitors, the show wasn’t a draw for everyone. Henkel, for example, declined to exhibit, telling DIY Week that the show’s DIY presence just wasn’t quite big or busy enough yet. Totally, too, drew a mixed response, with many exhibitors


reporting fairly positive reviews to DIY Week from the show, but commenting that as it was, the show just didn’t pack the same punch as in years past and did not seem sustainable. One overriding conclusion drawn from speaking to atttendees of both shows was that the industry does need a strong trade show – but that having two so close together just doesn’t work. Suppliers do not want to spend the money to exhibit at both. Retailers do not want to book two weeks away from their businesses. In the words of one Totally exhibitor, “What’s happened this year can’t go on.” Fortunately, it won’t. Totally used its 2017 show to announce that, next year, it will be moving to a June fixture and rebranding as the National DIY Show – reverting to a moniker the show used back in its London heyday. With a pledge to grow, it’s clear that the show’s organisers are hoping to revive some of those glory days of teeming aisles and big name brands. Spring Fair may be the newer, bigger player on the game board, but Totally has marked its territory and certainly won’t be going down without a fight.


PEOPLE NEWS


Lowe’s long-timer to be awarded Global DIY Lifetime Award


Gregory M. Bridgeford is to received the fifth Global DIY Lifetime Award at this year’s Global DIY Summit in Berlin. Decided by the board of


European DIY Retail Association (EDRA) and the Federation of the European DIY Manufacturers (fediyma) as well as the Global Home Improvement Network (GHIN), the award will be presented to Mr Bridgeford at a ceremony held on June 8.


Mr Bridgeford joined Lowe’s in 1982 as executive assistant to the chairman and, throughout his 32-year career, served in a variety of increasingly responsible positions, including the senior vice president for merchandising, marketing, and business development. In his role as Lowe’s first head of international business, he pioneered the company’s entry into Canada and Mexico,


Greg Bridgeford of Lowe’s is to received the fifth Global DIY Lifetime Award


serving as a critical architect in the earliest stage of Lowe’s most recent acquisition of Rona in Canada.


New marketing director for Screwfix


Graham Smith has been promoted to marketing director at Kingfisher retailer Screwfix. Mr Smith has been with


Graham Smith has been with Screwfix for eight years


4 DIY WEEK 24 FEBRUARY 2017


Screwfix since 2009 and, most recently, had the position of retail marketing director before taking on the role of marketing director from John Mewett, who will be the group digital director at Kingfisher. He said: “Screwfix’s core


objective is to help our customers do their jobs quickly, affordably and right first time. At the heart of this is our commitment to deliver high levels of convenience for our customers. “From this perspective, I’ll be focused on making sure we deliver this across all our channels as we continue to grow the business.”


New general manager for Global DIY Summit


Iñaki Maillard will be the new general manager for the Global DIY Summit, reporting directly to chairmen, co-founders and official moderators Ralf Rahmede and John Herbert. Said Mr Maillard: “This is a


recognition for many years of hard work developing a top class event for our industry.


“The Global DIY Summit’s success is the result of teamwork and commitment from all the people involved in it. I thank Ralf and John for giving me this opportunity.”


New general manager appointed to promote DIY products


Ross Rennie has been appointed general sales manager at Etree Ltd to develop and promote a range of design-led and innovative products for the DIY market.


Mr Rennie has more than 36 years’ experience in retail sales for companies including Castle Hardware, RTZ Duraflex, Oracstar, Robimatic and Connections. He has an extensive knowledge of the wholesale and retail trade.


Editor: Fiona Garcia


Acting editor: Jenny Wonnacott Art editor: Paul Forster


Publishing director: Paul Ryder Publication manager: Joanne Bamber


Product news co-ordinator: Sarah Duncan


Production controller: Gemma Zweck Subscriptions: Curwood CMS Ltd Subscription rate (UK):


01622 699 161 fgarcia@datateam.co.uk 07801 228801 jwonnacott@datateam.co.uk 01622 607 962 pforster@datateam.co.uk 01622 699 105 pryder@datateam.co.uk 01253 870780 jbamber@datateam.co.uk


01622 699136 sduncan@datateam.co.uk 01622 681 366 gzweck@datateam.co.uk 01580 883844 datateam@c-cms.com One year £128, two years £217


Subscription rate (outside UK, air mail): One year £163, two years £287


Published by Datateam Business Media Ltd, 15a London Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LY. Phone: 01622 687031. Fax: 01622 757646. www.datateam.co.uk


© 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.


Founded in 1874


No 5,810 24 February 2017 www.diyweek.net


We are proud to sponsor the Rainy Day Trust


Ross Rennie is the new general manager in charge of DIY products at Etree


www.diyweek.net


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28