NEWS


DIY Week Awards 2026 winners crowned!


Designed to celebrate excellence and innovation, across the DIY, home improvement and gardening sectors, the 2026 DIY Week Awards ceremony took place on Friday 22nd May at the prestigious Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, London, allowing the industry’s very best to network and celebrate amongst their peers.


So, after months of anticipation, the winners of the DIY Week


Awards 2026 have been announced, as follows: Decorating Product of the Year: Avron – Dekton Caulking Gun with Cage Hand Tool of the Year: QEP – Vitrex Safest Cut Sealant Remover Garden Leisure Product of the Year: Keter – Outdoor Garden Bar Retailer Support & Marketing Initiative Award: Home Hardware Southwest Garden Care Product of the Year: Sumec – i600 iVISION Robotic Lawnmower


Home & Kitchen Product of the Year: Avron – Dekton Super Claw Security Product of the Year: Draper Tools – BUNKER Van Storage range Garden Tool of the Year: Webb Garden Power – Webb 20V Cordless Cylinder Lawnmower Power Tool of the Year: Avron – Goodyear Cordless Portable Tyre Inflator


Lighting Product of the Year: Avron – Dekton Rechargeable Multi- Function Portable Lamp DIY Product of the Year: QEP – Vitrex Perfect Cut Manual Tile Cutter Sustainability Initiative of the Year: Draper Tools – North Baddesley Warehouse Editor’s Choice: Palace Chemicals – NX Range Team of the Year: DK Tools Point of Sale Display of the Year: Avron Wholesaler of the Year: ABM Distributors


Houzz releases inaugural 2026 UK State of AI Report


Nearly half of UK construction and design professionals are already using AI in their businesses, according to Houzz’s inaugural UK State of AI in Construction and Design Report. The survey of more than 145 industry professionals found 46% are using AI tools, with users reporting average time savings of more than three hours a week – equivalent to an estimated £23,000 annual productivity gain per business. Administrative tasks, sales and marketing, project management and design visualisation were among the most common applications. The report also found 60% of respondents believe AI will transform the industry within five years


Retailer of the Year: GJ’s and Daughter Industry Personality of the Year Award: Steve Ball, Commercial & Marketing Director, Palace Chemicals. Our thanks go to this year’s DIY Week Award’s sponsors: Avron / Dekton, BHETA, Bira Direct, Burg Wächter, Daley Hub, Draper Tools and Home Hardware. We’d also like to thank everyone who attended the Awards’ lunch and congratulate the finalists, winners and highly commended, who should all be incredibly proud of their achievements. We hope to see you all back for 2027! We will be publishing a full report from the event in a special supplement with the June issue of DIY Week. In the meantime, for a complete list of winners, highly commended entries, gallery of photos from the event, and more information, please visit the Awards’ website at: diyweekawards.co.uk.


Jewson


relaunches landscaping competition for 2026


However, concerns remain


around data security, accuracy and lack of training, with many businesses calling for AI tools that integrate into existing workflows.


Houzz said AI adoption is


creating competitive advantages for early adopters, particularly where technology can improve productivity, organisation and customer communication across construction and design projects.


Government decision on knives legislation likely to be delayed


The Government’s proposed knife licensing legislation is unlikely to be implemented before 2027 following the Home Office consultation, according to BHETA. The consultation, which closed


4 DIY WEEK MAY 2026


in February, attracted more than 3,000 responses, meaning analysis and policy decisions are expected to take several more months. BHETA says it has been lobbying extensively on behalf of


Jewson has launched the latest edition of its landscaping competition for 2026, inviting independent landscapers to showcase projects completed with products purchased from the builders’ merchant. The competition, judged by TV presenter and former footballer


members, holding meetings with the Home Office, Metropolitan Police and Border Force to highlight the impact on legitimate UK businesses. The association warns the proposed licensing regime could affect not only kitchen knives, but also garden tools, trade blades, scissors and other bladed products sold through DIY retailers. Steve Richardson, BHETA’s General Manager, said the organisation continues to press for proportionate, risk-based legislation that does not place additional costs on UK retailers.


www.diyweek.net


Jimmy Bullard, aims to highlight quality workmanship and creativity across the landscaping sector. Entries are open until 31st May 2026 and must include before-and-after images, a short project description and proof of purchase from a Jewson branch. Then it’s over the public, who will choose the winners via social media between 6th and 10th June. Winners will be selected across several categories, with the overall champion announced on 12th June. Prizes include a £200 shopping voucher, £200 in Jewson credit and a trade- branded barbecue package, while the overall winner will also win a £500 voucher to spend on garden furniture.


Jewson said the competition


reflects growing demand for high-quality landscaping


Kingfisher has reported a resilient start to its 2026/27 financial year, with strong growth in trade and e-commerce helping offset weaker seasonal demand caused by a late start to spring.


The DIY retail group, which owns B&Q, Screwfix and TradePoint, said underlying like- for-like sales dipped 0.7% in Q1, while total sales including marketplace activity increased 0.8%. Trade sales rose 17% excluding Screwfix, with trade now accounting for 31% of group sales. E-commerce sales climbed 14%, while marketplace gross merchandise value grew 39% to £163m. Screwfix delivered standout performance, achieving 4.1% like-for-like growth and significant market share gains in the UK and Ireland. B&Q sales were softer, impacted by weaker footfall and subdued bathroom demand, although kitchens performed strongly.


Chief executive Thierry Garnier said the business remains “on track” to meet full-year profit guidance of £565m-£625m.


products and professional outdoor living projects, while also giving tradespeople the opportunity to promote their businesses locally and nationally.


• To enter the Jewson landscaping competition, upload your before and after posts to Instagram or Facebook, tag @Jewsonuk, and add #MyJewsonProject to the caption


AWARDS 2026 DIY WEEK


Trade growth boosts Kingfisher Q1 results


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