NEWS


Porcelain Superstore reveals best-selling tiles of 2021


Moroccan-inspired patterns and a modern


take on


traditional terrazzo have been the UK’s favourite tile designs in 2021, according to new data from independent retailer Porcelain Superstore.


The tile experts at the family- run business have revealed their top 10 best-selling tiles of 2021. Casablanca Mix, a vibrant, beautifully patterned tile topped the charts, closely followed by Opal Emerald, a bold green subway tile. Porcelain Superstore’s playful take on terrazzo – Tutti Frutti was third, while Arlo Light – another striking take on terrazzo, finished fifth. Sitting


between Tutti Frutti


and Arlo Light to take the fourth spot was Zellige Pearl, a cool, Moroccan-inspired beauty. Abbas Youssefi, Director


of Porcelain Superstore, said: “Morocco is synonymous with tiles, so it’s no surprise Moroccan-inspired tiles have an enduring appeal. “Casablanca Mix is a real stunner of a tile with its traditional Moroccan detailing and bright, bold hues, which all come together to create a gorgeous tapestry of colour and pattern. “Sneaking up behind is Tutti Frutti. Our terrazzo-inspired tiles have sold amazingly well in 2021 and Arlo Light has been another really strong contender. The terrazzo trend is not going


anywhere and I think this is going to continue well into 2022 and beyond. “It was interesting to see Opal Emerald so high. 2022 is going to be the year green tiles reign supreme.”


The best-sellers are based on sales data from January 1 2021, through to November 26, 2021. For more details, visit www. porcelainsuperstore.co.uk


Mark Hutchinson named as Grand Winner in Dulux Select Decorators Awards 2021


The Grand Winner of the 2021 Dulux Select Decorators Awards has been announced as Mark Hutchinson. His triumph was announced at the Dulux Select Gala Dinner & Awards 2021, which celebrates the work of Select Decorators around the UK, on Tuesday 23rd November during the National Painting and Decorating Show. Mark was revealed as the Grand Winner of the awards in recognition of his wealth of experience and knowledge, and his commitment to continuously exceed customer expectations with the quality of his work across both interior and exterior projects. Ten category winners were


also presented at the gala dinner held in the 25th year of the Dulux Select scheme. Taking place at the Coventry


created in lockdown to unite scheme members at a difficult time.


Decorators from across the country gathered at the venue for drinks, dinner and live entertainment, before Dulux Select Decorators Lead Vickie Mather, and judges Dulux Academy Skills


Development


Consultants Mark Rigby and Tony Pearson-Young, as well as Dulux Creative Director Marianne Shillingford, took to the stage to announce the winners.


Building Society Arena, the


awards returned to an in-person format after the 2020 event was held online, bringing to life physically for the first time the Fitch & Bristle, a virtual pub


Travis Perkins plc signs up to Disability Confident scheme


Travis Perkins plc has announced that it has joined the Disability Confident scheme run by The Department for Work & Pensions which encourages companies to improve how they recruit,


retain and develop employees with disabilities and long term conditions. As part of its Disability Confident Level 1 membership,


Travis Perkins has committed to ensure its recruitment process is inclusive and accessible, that adjustments are made to accommodate colleagues with disabilities and long term health conditions, and to provide employment, workplace and training opportunities. We acknowledge that creating a more inclusive


environment which celebrates and nurtures diversity will be crucial to our future success as a business and as an industry. Whilst we have started to


4 DIY WEEK DECEMBER 2021


put disability on our leadership agenda, joining the Disability Confident scheme will help us accelerate change by making new connections, gaining access to information, support and guidance and other activities that will help us improve. “This is about eliminating stigma and removing the barriers that might be preventing our colleagues from realising their aspirations, so we create a workplace that is fully accessible and where everyone can thrive,” said James Mackenzie, Managing Director of Toolstation and Group Leadership Team Sponsor for the Travis Perkins Group’s Ability Network. Membership of the Disability Confident scheme follows Travis Perkins’ announcement earlier this year of its commitment to disability inclusion after joining The Valuable 500 in 2020.


Mark Hutchinson commented: “I am genuinely humbled and honoured to receive the Grand Winner award. The past year has had its ups and down for everyone due to the pandemic, so it’s great to be able to look back with pride on the projects I’ve carried out and the fantastic customer feedback, in spite of the challenges we’ve all faced.”


The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is to host an industry-wide webinar with leading online marketplace, eBay on 27 January. As a kick- off to the new year BHETA webinar programme, and to reflect the platform’s focus on


Spring fair announces Empowering Change manifesto for 2022


Spring Fair, the UK’s most diverse, vibrant, and exciting wholesale marketplace for home, gift, fashion, and sourcing, taking place from 6 – 9 February 2022 at NEC Birmingham, has revealed that its manifesto for 2022 is Empowering Change. The manifesto will set the agenda for the live show’s Inspiring Retail Stage as well as a year- round content programme. Outlining


the Empowering


Change manifesto, Suzanne Ellingham, Head of Content, Hyve Group plc said: “Retail is in a state of incredible transformation. Technology enables customers to shop anywhere, any time, and in any way that they want. The competitive landscape has changed, and even online retailers are now facing increasing costs and hostile marketing conditions. In a time when staying the same means you are moving backwards, expecting different results from the same tactics doesn’t make sense. I am really excited about this year’s Empowering Change editorial


theme. The schedule will be packed full of incredible speakers and participants, helpful and inspiring insights, newness as well as the essential trends for 2022 and beyond.” Created as a platform to champion retail, the Inspiring Retail Stage’s full schedule of live content from experts in their field will provided exclusive insights, trend reports, keynote conversations,


and panel


discussions on the key topics facing retail. Each of the four days of the show will cover a dedicated theme correlated to the Empowering Change manifesto. The full Inspiring Retail Stage line-up will be


announced


in the next few weeks. For further information please visit www.springfair.com


BHETA to hold open webinar with eBay


expanding its DIY and garden presence, the event will be open to BHETA members and non-members alike. eBay will be represented by Category Manager for home and garden, Rosalind Bridges and following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions direct to Rosalind. To register for this webinar and


for more information about future events, contact Zara in BHETA Member Services on 0121 237 1130 or email zm@bheta.co.uk


One in ten Britons don’t know how to use a single item from their toolbox


A new study has revealed that many Britons would struggle to use the items in their toolbox correctly, without looking it up. The new research from SGS Engineering quizzed Britons on their knowledge of common toolbox items, with nine percent admitting they couldn’t use a single tool without asking someone for help. Brits are most comfortable when using a good old-fashioned


screwdriver, with almost two thirds of those surveyed (61%) claiming that they know how to use one correctly. You’d think that using a tape measure would also be fairly simple, yet over a third of those surveyed (40%) said that they do not know how to use one. Jab saws were revealed as the tool that Britons are most clueless about, with just one in ten people (10%) saying that they are confident on the correct technique for using one. Similarly, just one in seven people (15%) think they know how to use a bolster (cold chisel), and only a quarter of those surveyed (27%) think they know how to use bolt cutters. More information can be found online at www.sgs-engineering. com/help-advice/how-to-use-essential-tools-safely


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  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36