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© 2025 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 DIY Week includes some editorial photographs provided and paid for by suppliers. Printed by Buxton Press.


Founded in 1874 No 5,937 - June 2025


Be careful what you wish for!


We all love nice weather and a bit of sunshine, something we tend to generally lack for most of the year in the UK. However, when we are granted a good start to the summer season and a prolonged dry spell, it doesn’t take long before we are complaining about the heat and the water companies declare a drought and start imposing hosepipe bans to encourage water saving. I get it, water is a precious resource that we often take for granted and should be treating with care, but just when the garden really needs watering we are stopped from doing it. And with water bills rising just as fast as all our other outgoings, it does seem unfair that we have to limit water use when our gardens desperately need it. Meanwhile, just the other day I was walking in London one evening and came across yet another burst water main that was allowed to leak gallons of water before the repair crew arrived to fix it the next morning. It’s all very well the utility companies preaching to us about saving water, but they really need to invest more of the high revenues being paid by us into the infrastructure, and plug all the leaks to limit their own wastage before telling their customers what do to. Of course there are still ways to ensure your garden remains healthy, despite a water shortage, it just takes a bit of


foresight and creativity. With temperatures likely to remain higher on average due to the effects of climate change, we need to get used to the conditions and prepare for drier summers. Collecting and conserving water should become second nature, so that we can enjoy more time outside and look after our gardens at the same time. I’m sure the weather will be one of the hot topics at SOLEX taking place in Birmingham early next month, and you can read our preview to this leading outdoor living trade show on page 25 of this issue.


In This Issue... Neil Mead, Editorial Director


P4 / NEWS


The latest headlines and breaking news from across the home improvement and garden sectors


P17 / SAFETY & SECURITY


Keeping your shop floor clean and tidy is good for your image and also contributes to health & safety


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Published by P21 / OUTDOOR LIGHTING


With an ever-growing choice of products and rapid tech developments, what do consumers really want?


P22 / SOLEX 2025 PREVIEW


Celebrating its 17th year, SOLEX stands out as the premier event for outdoor living and garden leisure


dktools.com


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