NEWS eBay to sponsor Glee 2024


The organiser of Glee, Hyve Group, has announced eBay as a sponsor of the 50th anniversary of the event, due to run from 10th -12th September at the NEC, Birmingham. This new partnership with the UK’s premier garden trade exhibition will enable more businesses to discover the benefits of selling on eBay, one of the world’s biggest hubs for SME trading. eBay is globally recognised and well-trusted as one of the


biggest online marketplaces, a booming sector that was valued at more than £137 billion last year and is projected to reach over £152 billion in 2024. eBay is ideally placed to capitalise on this enormous growth, with an average of 235 million monthly


visits, vast range of products, customer loyalty scheme and savvy marketing initiatives. Hannah Richards, Garden Category Manager at eBay comments: “We are immensely proud of this new partnership with Glee and can’t wait to start meeting exhibitors. Garden related products are amongst the most popular items on our platform and there is incredible growth potential for suppliers who join us, including access to our 27 million active buyers.”


Luceco launches ePortal for wholesalers


In its latest step towards an ever more seamless and straightforward customer experience, leading lighting and electrical accessories company, Luceco Group, which includes the BG, Masterplug and D-Line brands, has launched an online ordering portal for wholesalers and independent retailers. Simply called the ePortal, it provides easy self- service ordering across the full Luceco product portfolio, enabling customers to review all brands through one site, check stock availability and purchase quickly. Created for wholesaler / independent resellers, this new ‘all in one’ ordering site


allows account customers to check stock availability of any Luceco, BG, MP or D-Line product, see their unique dedicated pricing and place orders at any time of day or night.


The ePortal was designed with the customer at the forefront; the aim being to give customers an alternative to phoning in orders and a broader range of information at their fingertips to support any ordering or tenders, where up-to-date, accessible information is critical.


Deliveroo and B&Q partner to deliver DIY products on demand in London


Deliveroo and B&Q have announced a new partnership giving Londoners access to on-demand delivery of over 600 DIY products from their nearest B&Q Local store in as little as 25 minutes. With products spanning interior and outdoor paint, decorating, painting tools, plumbing, electricals, bathroom essentials, as well as tools and hardware, whether they’re tackling an emergency job that needs a quick fix or need additional tools halfway through a project, DIY enthusiasts and professionals can now easily access the materials they require at their convenience. This new partnership is launching across nine B&Q Local stores at Camden, Harrow, Palmers Green, Streatham, Sutton, Tooting, Wandsworth, Wood Green and Staines-Upon-Thames later this month.


The Deliveroo and B&Q partnership taps into the increasing demand from consumers for speed and convenience when it comes to buying DIY products. Customer searches on the Deliveroo app for DIY products such as paint and screws have increased by 74% and 35% respectively over the last six months. Offering an on-demand, fast delivery service in partnership with Deliveroo, supports B&Q’s ambition to give customers more choice of when and how their B&Q purchases are delivered, and helps to reach a new target customer base and serve new shopping missions.


4 DIY WEEK AUGUST 2024 Wholesalers and independent


retailers can view and sign up to the new service via: https:// eportal.luceco.com/, or if they want more information they can speak to their customer services contact or their local ASM.


Wickes Group issues trading update for first six months of 2024


In the first half of 2024 Wickes has delivered continued sales and volume growth in Retail with LFL sales up 0.6%. Challenging market conditions have continued in Design & Installation where it saw LFL sales decline by 18.3%. Overall Group LFL sales decreased by 3.9% compared to the prior year. Retail sales remain resilient


and Wickes has continued to increase market share to record levels, demonstrating the continued strength of Wickes’ value and service- led proposition. Growth in the first half was driven by volume, with selling price deflation of around 3%. The phasing impact of the Easter


peak trading period this year reduced Retail LFL sales in Q2 by 1.4%. Within Retail, TradePro sales continue to perform strongly, up 14% in the half, reflecting a healthy pipeline of work for local trade professionals


and continued sign-ups to the TradePro scheme. Active TradePro members have increased by 18% year-on- year to 541,000. DIY sales remain in moderate decline as customers continue to focus on smaller projects.


www.diyweek.net


GCA’s July BoT results show an


‘encouraging month’


The Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) July Barometer of Trade (BoT) figures reveal some positive results for the month. Nine of the recorded 13 categories, when compared to July 2023, were up, according to data submitted by the GCA’s member garden centres. The top-performing category was clothing at +11.47%, when compared to the same month in 2023, with garden sundries next at +10.73, and hard landscaping in third position at +8.76%. Catering came in next at +7.11%, then furniture & BBQ at +6.04%, the miscellaneous category came in at +5.09% and food hall/farm shop +4.81%. Seeds & bulbs was +4.8% and outdoor plants at +4.2%. Gifts was -0.35% and houseplants at -2.71%, pets & aquatics -4.73% and understandably Christmas at the rear at -21.05%. The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to- date trading position statement. They are made available mid- month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.


BHETA reports strong half-year recruitment numbers


In a half-year statement, BHETA has reported a very strong number


of new members joining the association, despite the tough economic climate.


In the period January to June, 20 additional businesses joined the association. The majority are UK suppliers involved in housewares, DIY and garden, gift and small domestic electricals, but the figures also include two expert business service providers, specialising in supporting the home and garden industry. The influx has come from all


areas of the industry including Housewares: Bodum, JVL Homeware Solutions, Rinkit, Victorinox, , Walton & Co, Thunder Group, T.Element, Keeeper, ABS Pottery Imports and Museums & Galleries. Small Electrical: Cello Electronics, Polti UK, SEBO UK, Consumer Brands Limited and Homend UK. DIY & Garden: Rentokil, Einhell, and Laserliner. Business Support providers: E & S Services (DAR) Limited, Selling Interactions


Marketing director of BHETA, Steve Richardson commented: “Obviously this is great news for BHETA, and I’m especially pleased to see the association making serious headway across all sectors including garden, gift and electricals.”


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