NEWS


Paramount Retail Group rescues 100-year-old British business Bartoline


Paramount Retail Group, a leading name in the UK retail sector, has acquired Bartoline, a trusted British brand in the DIY and decorating industry for over 100 years. The acquisition secures 90 jobs and ensures the future of a historic company which has become a cornerstone of British home improvement since it was established in 1876. Known for its high-quality


adhesives, fillers, and decorating products, Bartoline has long been a staple in DIY projects across the UK. Its integration into Paramount’s portfolio not only preserves its heritage but also positions the business for future growth, as Paramount brings its extensive operational expertise and investment capabilities to the table. Paul Taylor, Chairman of Paramount Retail Group, said: “Bartoline has been a trusted


Bira cautiously welcomes retail sales growth


Leading retail association Bira has warned that independent high street shops are facing a “perfect storm” of declining in-store sales and rising costs, despite modest overall growth in the retail sector. The latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor figures for February 2025 show UK retail sales increased by 1.1% year-on-year (0.9% on a like- for-like basis). However, this headline figure masks significant challenges facing independent retailers.


While food sales grew by 2.3% (2.1% like-for-like), non- food sales remained flat at 0.0% (-0.1% like-for-like). Most concerning is the continued decline in non-food in-store sales, which fell by -1.0% (-1.3% like-for-like) compared to the same period last year. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, which represents over


6,000 independent retail businesses across the UK, said: “There is some positivity in the overall retail figures, but we are very concerned by the continued decline of non-food sales in store. Independent


retailers predominantly operate in the non-food sectors and are worried about sales, especially with costs set to rise next week. The 140% increase in business rates for smaller retailers announced in the budget will be a painful addition to the burgeoning cost base of running a shop.”


Bira, which includes Retra (the trade association for independent electrical retailers), notes that computing and electronics were among the stronger performing categories online, which could benefit some specialist independent electrical retailers. However, the overall picture for store-based independents remains challenging.


Jewson launches first sustainability centre in Norwich


Leading national builders’ merchant Jewson has opened the doors to its first sustainability centre within its newly refurbished branch in Cringleford, Norwich. The sustainability centre contains a dedicated ‘Building for the Future’ product range, including everything tradespeople and builders need to comply with the upcoming Future Homes Standard, such as low-carbon materials, energy efficient systems and renewable energy solutions.


As well as an expanded 4 DIY WEEK MARCH 2025


partner in countless home improvement projects over the past century, with a heritage and reputation for quality that make it an excellent addition to our portfolio. We’re proud to secure its legacy and look forward to driving its future growth through innovation and sustainability.”


The acquisition reflects Paramount’s strategy of preserving iconic British brands while driving innovation across


its diverse portfolio. This latest move also reinforces Paramount’s growth, with the group’s revenue now exceeding £100 million.


As part of its strategic vision, Paramount Retail Group will focus on developing innovative,


user-friendly, and sustainable products for Bartoline, catering to the growing


Jenolite hits £8m sales milestone


After 80 years, Jenolite - Britain’s answer to global US brand Rust-oleam - had almost rusted to the bone in 2019. Despite the brand once boasting famous customers including the Ministry of Defence, Airbus and Boeing, sales seemed unsalvageable. Yet, a surge in interest in upcycling, fuelled by the Covid lockdowns but which has now been assimilated into the mainstream with #upcycledfurniture continuing to trend as a social media hashtag, has seen demand boom from a new generation. Relaunched by entrepreneurial father and son Neil Wildon and Connor Heaps in 2020, Jenolite has grown 255% and hit over £8m in sales by the end of 2024. This makes it the leading rust treatment brand on Amazon UK


The launch presents another significant milestone on its transformation journey to bring the UK’s hard-working professional tradespeople what they need to grow their own businesses and to become the leading builders’ merchant in the UK. As part of its parent company


STARK Building Materials UK’s ‘Trust in Better’ strategy, Jewson is implementing a comprehensive investment programme to optimise its branch network across the nation, including major refurbishment projects and investments in sustainability centres, such as the Cringleford branch.


product range covering over 1,500 SKUs from more than 30 suppliers, the Cringleford branch has dedicated sustainability ambassadors who can provide resources, training and expertise on a range of sustainability topics.


Matthew Handley, Category Innovation Manager at Jewson, said: “We know sustainability can be a daunting topic for many of our customers, but it also presents an opportunity to upskill and work towards a greener future for the industry. We’re making it easy for customers to meet requirements such as the Future Homes Standard, by offering a wide range of products and by


on the upcycling trend. Wildon continued, “Jenolite had lost both its heritage and relevance. Our first step was to get the brand looking good and follow that with a pipeline of innovations that make metal renovation easy. This has moved us beyond being an expert rust converter to a paint and decoration brand that anyone can use.” The Jenolite product range


with 40.9% market share, and the second biggest spray paint brand at 10.8% market share, with sales of the latter increasing 90% 2023-2024. Neil Wildon, Jenolites CEO, cites: “Getting the brand right and innovating easier to use products like Directorust paints” for helping it capitalise


grew from 15 lines in 2019 to 400+ today as DIYers have embraced upcycling and the craft movement. Underpinning the brand’s growth are product innovations such as the Directorust paints and spray paints that offer short cut quick fixes. Glitter spray, neon fluorescent spray paints and vibrant garden paints have also caught the imagination of a new generation of customers.


Leyland celebrates four decades with hundreds of trade deals


Tradespeople in London have been given a spring boost after leading decorating and DIY specialist Leyland announced two months of deals on hundreds of its most popular products to celebrate 40 years in business. Leyland, which has 35 stores


across the capital, serves a loyal band of professional painters and decorators, builders, electricians and plumbers, alongside DIY enthusiasts.


Keen to help its core customer base through the spring months and to kick-start its 40th anniversary celebrations, Leyland has announced super savings across many product lines, including paint, masking tape, sealants, fillers and more. The deals are available in


all stores, and many are also available online, until May 6. Martin Hastings, CEO said:


“This year we are delighted to be marking 40 years of serving the trade in London. It’s an achievement we are really proud of, and we have a series of events lined up to celebrate, starting with our fantastic trade deals. “We were extremely keen to


offer our hardworking customers some amazing savings over a prolonged period of time, including deals from some of the biggest brands that painters and decorators love. We look forward to supporting our trade community in their jobs in the weeks to come.”


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demand for accessible DIY solutions. The approach will make home improvement easier for everyone, from seasoned DIYers to first-time decorators, while prioritising environmentally friendly materials and reducing waste. These efforts reflect Paramount’s commitment to preserving heritage brands while meeting the evolving needs of modern consumers.


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