NEWS Festive pressure fuels winter DIY Surge


It’s the season of twinkling lights, at-home hosting, and frantic ‘quick fixes’ before the in-laws arrive. This year, new research conducted ahead of the festive season reveals it’s not just the Christmas cooking piling on the pressure, as 42% of Brits admit they also feel the need to spruce up their homes to impress guests.


The study commissioned by OpenAI also reveals that


more broadly, winter is quietly overtaking spring as the nation’s favourite time for home improvement. Shorter days, more time indoors and the calm of January meaning a huge 78% of Gen Z and millennials and 43% of Brits – feel most inspired to tackle home projects during the colder months.


Saving money is cited as the top DIY motivator (51%), alongside a sense of achievement (29%) and the opportunity to


What More UK unveils new 80,000 sq ft facility to support future growth


learn new skills (23%).


Alongside this seasonal shift, three in five Gen Z and millennials (68%) are now turning to ChatGPT for personalised DIY guidance and home inspiration, with AI chatbots now more popular for tips and inspiration than Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram. Whether it’s adding festive touches, refreshing a room for guests, or completing those holiday DIY projects in time for Christmas.


marking another major milestone in the company’s continued expansion. Constructed by Readstone Construction, the impressive development provides state- of-the-art warehousing, office, and welfare space, designed to meet What More UK’s growing operational needs and future ambitions. This takes What More’s square footage to over 550,000 in total.


What More UK, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of housewares, cookware, and storage products, has


announced the completion and opening of its brand- new 80,000 sq ft facility at its production site in Altham,


The new facility has been built to the highest modern standards, incorporating high bay racking and Toyota automation systems to optimise efficiency and handling capacity. The development has been engineered for scalability, ensuring it is future ready for growth and automation, aligning with What More UK’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in British manufacturing


Jewson welcomes customers to new Bedford branch areas.


Jewson Bedford is welcoming customers to its new branch, with a fully refurbished site, increased product range and a host of special offers for builders and tradespeople in the town and surrounding


The site at Barkers Lane has been upgraded and rebranded in line with the leading merchant’s Branch of the Future concept, bringing the UK’s hard-working professional tradespeople what


BHETA launches new website


with enhanced member benefits BHETA has launched its new website – www.bheta.co.uk – to incorporate a host of additional online member benefits. Established to support its members with market intelligence, retailer networking and Government lobbying on key issues in the home, garden, housewares, and small domestic electricals sectors, BHETA is now making a wealth of information online via a member portal, alongside continuing in-person support from its sector managers.


The new member portal part of the enhanced website includes options to access and download industry specific insight and analysis reports, webinar slide decks, documents, and event videos from all BHETA or partner


they need to grow their own businesses.


Jewson Bedford now stocks


more than 9,000 products, including an extended range of power tools and clothing, a bathroom showroom, paint mixing service, ironmongery, and an extended timber selection. Greg Jackson, Branch


Director at Jewson Bedford, said: “We’ve invested a great deal of time and care into transforming the branch, bringing Jewson’s ‘Branch of the Future’ concept to life with fresh new branding and an even broader range of products to explore.”


Registration open for 12th Global DIY Summit


The 12th Global DIY-Summit will take place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 16–18 June 2026, bringing together senior leaders from across the global DIY, home improvement and garden sector.


Under the Motto ‘Accelerating in a New Global Reality – Building Collective Awareness for a Fast-


4 DIY WEEK DECEMBER 2025


Changing World’, the Global DIY-Summit will be solidifying its foundations as one of the most important events for the DIY, home improvement and garden sector globally. With the core principle in


Amsterdam of building collective awareness, the Global DIY- Summit will be sharing insights, outlooks and perspectives from


some of the most respected thought leaders and revolutionary thinkers from both inside our sector and externally. Through this collective awareness, it aims to ensure the industry is best informed and prepared to face the future together. • For more information and online registration, visit www.diysummit.org.


events over the last two years. This is in addition to real time member updates and upcoming events information via the portal. Marketing Director, Steve


Richardson commented: “This new BHETA website is a game- changer in terms of unique, up to the minute information and insight, now available to members at their convenience.”


GCA reveals 2025 Christmas display competition winners


The Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Gisela Graham- sponsored annual Christmas competition national winners have been announced. Bents came a starry first in the Destination Garden Centre category; Garson’s Titchfield shone in the Garden Centre section and Brimsmore Gardens in Somerset sparkled in the Local Garden Centre category. Inspector, Alyson Haywood, who judged the competition with fellow GCA Inspector Peter Walker, explained: “It was a pleasure to return to the role of judge for the 2025 Christmas competition sponsored by Gisela Graham. This year’s winning Christmas centres showed an exceptional level of creativity and festive brilliance nationwide.


“From roadside entrances glowing with twinkling lights to immersive journeys filled with scent, storytelling and spectacular displays, participants delivered some of the most magical retail experiences to date.” Walker added: “It was wonderful to see the industry bursting with innovation and festive passion” Alyson and Peter visited garden


centres across the country during December seeking out best practice to be rewarded.


www.diyweek.net


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