NEWS
Independent retailers face fresh challenges as UK inflation climbs to 3.8%
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has expressed serious concern following the recent announcement that UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, higher than the expected 3.7% and marking the tenth consecutive month above the Bank of England’s 2% target. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “It is disappointing to see inflation rise to 3.8%. Higher inflation tends to
dampen consumer confidence and demand, so it is bad news for the indie retail sector. The cause is undoubtedly a significant rise in business costs across all sectors and there is real concern about the Autumn budget.” The latest Office for National Statistics figures show food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 4.9% year-on- year, with beef, orange juice, coffee and chocolate among
Water pump manufacturer transforms global product experience with Akeneo
Grundfos, the world’s largest manufacturer of water pumps has transformed product experience across more than 60 countries globally – centralising and enriching its product information, streamlining the production of complex print and digital assets in partnership with Akeneo, the Product Experience (PX) company and leading provider of Product Information Management (PIM) solutions. Given the size and complexity of its operating model, historically Grundfos had experienced significant challenges with inconsistent product data that had been developed across regions and internal systems. As a result, it was difficult for teams to ensure accuracy, leading to long delays and excessive
manual work, including repeated checks across ERP systems. Grundfos recognised the need for a transformative approach and partnered with Akeneo in 2016 as a foundational partner within its technology stack.
This structure supports several critical business functions, including the production of Grundfos’s price books, which are vital for the company’s global operations. Additionally, Akeneo is enabling Grundfos to assert greater control over how its brand is represented by third- party wholesalers listing its products on marketplaces
BHETA to host ecommerce
fulfilment and distribution webinar which programs fit your brand strategy.
BHETA is hosting another of its popular industry webinars aimed at companies keen to unlock the potential of online marketplaces and retailer dropship platforms. The speaker will be Nishant Gupta, Founder and CEO of BHETA business support provider, Nivtar, and the event takes place on 23 September at 10:30am. Expanding from traditional
retail into online can be complex, demanding major investments in technology, logistics, and operational capabilities. Doing it as speed – and at scale – also means navigating retailer requirements, connecting with the right buyers, and knowing
6 DIY WEEK AUGUST 2025 Offering end-to-end
market access services, Nivtar specialises in helping brands meet these challenges with long-term growth in mind. Commenting on the member opportunities presented by the webinar, BHETA marketing director, Steve Richardson said: “All suppliers are dealing with a rapidly changing opportunities in terms of routes to market. This event will bring everyone up to speed on the practicalities.”
To register for this event,
please visit
www.bheta.
co.uk/events/unlocking- growth-with-nivtars-agile- distribution-services
the worst-affected products. For independent retailers, many of whom operate on tight margins, these rising costs present a significant challenge in an already difficult trading environment.
“Independent retailers are feeling the squeeze from multiple directions,” added Goodacre. “Rising product costs, increasing operational expenses, and now the prospect of reduced consumer
spending power creates a perfect storm for our high street businesses. Many of our members are already operating on razor-thin margins, and this latest inflation data compounds their challenges.”
Bira continues to campaign for greater support for independent retailers, including fair business rates, action on retail crime, and policies that protect the future of Britain’s high streets.
Two new members join BHETA
such as Building Masterdata. Artificial intelligence is also playing a growing role in the company’s product data journey. With more than 350,000 SKUs in the Akeneo system, and the same number of product translations to maintain, the business also utilises Akeneo’s AI-powered tools to auto-generate titles and descriptions.
Window cleaning products specialist, Unger has joined BHETA. Originally founded in 1964 to design and manufacture glass and surface cleaning products for commercial users, today the company also offers professional grade cleaning solutions for retail. Unger UK is based in Wolverhampton. Widely available in both bricks and mortar and online DIY retailers and marketplaces, Unger’s range includes window squeegees, washers, telescopic poles, and scrapers for speedy, safe, and effective cleaning. Specialising in products for glass and conservatories, as well as solar panels, the company also supplies cleaning tools for a host of other surfaces.
JMD Distribution has also
recently joined BHETA. JMD supplies packing shims, glazing packers, wall plugs, and cable ties as well as other specialist tools for construction and glazing.
The London-based company offers exclusively UK-manufactured products
‘Miracle Man’ crosses the finish line in Walk2Help challenge for hospice
The streets of Huddersfield and Batley were filled with admirers showing their encouragement and admiration to Ismail Patel – affectionately known as the ‘Miracle Man’ – who completed an eight-mile Walk2Help challenge on 17 August in aid of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. The walk, organised by national retailer Doors 2 Floors, saw Ismail lead supporters on the journey from Batley to Huddersfield, each step raising funds and awareness for families facing the most difficult of
circumstances. Ismail’s participation is especially inspiring given his own history. In 2008, after suffering a sudden brain bleed and falling into a coma, doctors feared he would never walk or talk again. Against all odds, after two and a half weeks in intensive care, he fought his way back. Years later, he has not only walked again but completed over 34 ten-kilometre races.
Speaking at the finish line, Ismail said: “When I woke up from the coma, people thought I’d never take another step. To be here today, walking for such
an important cause, shows that with determination and faith, nothing is impossible.”
www.diyweek.net
with performance, reliability, and consistency proven in commercial projects. The extensive range of frame, glazing, and specialist packers are engineered to fit seamlessly between building and construction components, enabling precise adjustments before final fitting. For more information about BHETA and the retailer networking, market data, lobbying and business support opportunities it offers, contact Steve Edwards on 07967 814192 or view the website at
www.bheta.co.uk.
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