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No 5,863 - 06 September 2019 www.diyweek.net


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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


P8 / SUPPLIER NEWS Vegtrug discuss the roots of the business, as it


celebrates its UK headquarters in Essex


“We’ve not moved on to the wild winter snow predictions yet”


Founded in 1874


The weather outside is... well, far from frightful


The warm weather has continued and, if predictions in the press are to be believed, we could be set for another heatwave this month, as a result of hurricane Dorian. John Lewis has been making hay while the sun shines, with a reported 40% spike in sales of barbecues last week and outdoor furniture up 20%.


All very handy for those of you looking to clear out your summer and outdoor living stocks


before we head towards winter and Christmas. But, despite the glorious sunshine out of my window as I write this, we take a look at autumn & winter prep in this issue – from garden tidy, to woodcare, and everything inbetween - even a bit of lawncare to repair any scorched grass before the frost sets in. With the media still busy talking about Indian summers (and, of course, the fall-out from the latest political drama), we’ve not moved on to the wild winter snow predictions yet but you can be sure there will be a flurry of headlines at some point urging customers to get their hands on salt spreaders, snow shovels and whatever else they need to arm themselves against an Arctic chill.


Why not get a head start and think about how you can maximise sales in the category during this limbo period? We also have an update from Homebase on its plans for the future and the work being done behind the scenes to re-build the retail brand. I know there is still a lot of goodwill in the industry towards Homebase and, having sat down with Damian McGloughlin recently, it is really encouraging to see someone who remains well grounded but who has such passion and infectious drive, at the helm of the business. I’m excited to see his plans come to fruition.


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P12 / RETAILING


DIY Week sits down with Homebase CEO Damian McGloughlin to hear more about his plans for the retailer’s future


www.diyweek.net P17 / AUTUMN & WINTER PREP


The preparation for the new season has begun, and takes a look at which lines are expected to prove popular


06 SEPTEMBER 2019 DIY WEEK 3 Published by


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