COMMENT A family affair


No 5,846 - 09 November 2018 www.diyweek.net


Editor: Fiona Garcia 01622 699 161 fgarcia@datateam.co.uk


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In This Issue


© 2018 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


P10 / NEWS EXTRA An breakdown of the Autumn Budget, plus reactions


from the retail sector Editor, Fiona Garcia: fgarcia@datateam.co.uk


“Celebrate the quirks that bring


customers through the doors”


Founded in 1874


We have profiled two family businesses in this issue – both very different in size and offer but both retailers who have been savvy about celebrating the quirks that bring customers through the doors. Sandy’s Hardware may not trade online and may appear a very traditional hardware retailer but the business knows its audience and how to tailor its offer and services to cater to their needs. Before Ikea bought TaskRabbit, Sandy Saunders was already capitalising on the do-it- for-me trend with his own handyman business! On top of that the shop has also built up a strong reputation locally, so that the family regularly welcomes young novice DIYers in, eager for advice on tackling home improvement tasks. How many large-scale retailers in the market can say the same or say that their staff are able to provide the advice needed? Even the family dog plays its part. If locals want to come in and pet Tommy the dog but not buy anything on that occasion, that’s fine because the Saunders family know they will come back to ‘that friendly DIY store’ the next time they need to buy something. And, with a number of retailers now adding charges for in-store click and collect (a pet hate of mine), a trader offering free delivery for local customers is a very attractive proposition. Meanwhile, Squire’s Garden Centres showcased the newest member of its family last week


at Frensham. Deputy chairman Sarah Squire joked that she hates it when people refer to the business as a chain and prefers the term ‘group’ because, despite running 15 centres, remaining a local, family business at heart, is a vital part of its modus operandi. She spoke about how important it is that each of the centres within the business retain their own quirks and charms that keep local customers swarming in; which in Frensham’s case is an interesting mix of garden goods, camping gear, fireworks and storage boxes! It can be tempting to look around and try to conform to what other people are doing but sometimes it really pays to celebrate what makes your business and your customers different. With that in mind, I must just add a note that entry to the DIY Week Awards is open, so please do visit www.diyweekawards.co.uk and put your business or team forward.


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P17 / RETAILING


DIY Week visit’s Squire’s Garden Centre’s newest addition, Frensham


www.diyweek.net P20 /RANGE REVIEW: HARDWARE


A closer look at independent DIY store Sandy’s Hardware in Lordswood, Kent.


09 NOVEMBER 2018 DIY WEEK 3 Published by


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