COMMENT
www.diyweek.net
Editorial Director: Neil Mead 07976 255274
nmead@datateam.co.uk Assistant Editor: Olivia Mead
Contributors: Kerry & Clive Daley 023 8026 7478
theteam@daleyhub.com
Publication Manager: Sallie Payne 01622 699151
spayne@datateam.co.uk
Art Editor: Paul Forster 01622 607962
pforster@datateam.co.uk
Media Director: Paul Ryder 01622 699105
pryder@datateam.co.uk
Subscriptions: Curwood CMS Ltd 01580 883844
datateam@c-cms.com
Subscription rate (UK): One year £137, two years £235
Subscription rate (outside UK, airmail): One year £174, two years £309
© 2026 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 DIYWeek includes some editorial photographs provided and paid for by suppliers. Printed by Buxton Press.
Founded in 1874 No 5,944 - January 2026
the last 12 months and the various challenges we managed to overcome along the way, and, at the same time, look forward to what the next year may have in store. Despite all the obstacles that to appear all too frequently in business these days, retailers in particular, seem to find a way through thanks to their creativity and experience. Those that have been around the industry for a while will remember the various financial crises and resulting economic turbulence they produced over the years, forcing businesses to refocus and realign just to survive. Unfortunately, too many have fallen victim to these financial pressures and had to close, but the ones that have navigated their way through have come out the other side, stronger, leaner, more resilient and much better placed to confront whatever the next set of challenges may be, the latest being the increase in business rates.
The start of a new year provides the opportunity to look back at what we achieved over
The government’s decision to give pubs a 15 per cent business rates discount while excluding independent retailers is a “poor decision based on politics rather than what is good for the local economy,” according to Bira, and I must agree. Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO said the Chancellor had “failed to listen to independent retailers who face identical pressures.” He went to say: “This is a poor decision based on politics rather than what is good to the local economy.” We have further comment from Bira on this important topic on p31 of this issue. Let’s hope the government listens to these concerns and either offers retailers a discount, or makes another of its infamous U-turns. In the meantime, we’ll focus on more positive news, such as the return of the DIY Week Awards this May. Entries
are already open, so we encourage anyone in the DIY, home improvement, housewares or gardening sector that has a new product, innovation or achievement they are proud of to step forward and have their well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Check out page 8 for more details or go online to enter at
diyweekawards.co.uk.
In This Issue... Neil Mead, Editorial Director
P4 / NEWS
The latest headlines and breaking news from across the home improvement and garden sectors
P10 / SPRING FAIR 2026
Spring Fair, the UK’s definitive retail trade event for Home, Gift and Fashion, returns to the NEC Birmingham
Datateam Business Media Ltd, 15a London Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LY
Tel: 01622 687031
www.datateam.co.uk
Published by: P12 / DOORS & WINDOWS
The six biggest design trends for doors and windows in 2026 according to Express Bi Folding Doors
P26 / PAINTS & FINISHES
Colour palettes that feel calm, restorative and emotionally supportive are going to be big news in 2026
THAT DELIVERS DURABILITY
With its unibody lightweight plastic design,
Stock up now,
trade.redgorilla.red
Search Red Gorilla
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 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
