NEWS
AkzoNobel unveils 2027 Colour of the Year
AkzoNobel has announced Soulful Sage, a soft, silvery green, as its Colour of the Year for 2027, reflecting growing consumer interest in creating lighter, more uplifting living spaces. The shade sits at the centre
of three complementary colour palettes – Glow, Light and Lift – developed following the company’s annual global trend research.
Glow combines earthy tones
to create warm interiors, while Light pairs pale shades with darker colours to produce calming spaces. Lift features brighter, positive tones designed to inspire and energise. Heleen van Gent, Creative
Director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Center, said: “Our 2027 Colour of the Year is all about creating lighter spaces for a lighter life.”
The colour collection has been developed for decorative paints and a range of other applications, including furniture, flooring and architecture. AkzoNobel’s annual ColourFutures research brings together international designers, architects and industry experts to identify emerging colour trends and changing consumer preferences.
Wickes reports 2.1% sales growth in first half
Wickes Group has reported a 2.1% increase in revenue to £865.3 million for the 26 weeks to 27 June 2026, driven by higher retail volumes and growth in its Design & Installation business. Adjusted pre-tax profit
rose 1.1% to £27.6 million, while statutory pre-tax profit increased to £24.6 million. Retail revenue grew 0.8% to £639.8 million despite 2.4% price deflation, while Design & Installation sales increased 5.7% to £225.5 million. TradePro sales rose 5%, with active membership reaching 671,000.
Linnworks joins BHETA as Business Support Provider
BHETA has welcomed its latest Business Support Provider. Linnworks is a multichannel commerce platform designed to help retailers manage and scale their operations more effectively. The platform connects inventory, orders, and fulfilment across more than 100 sales channels, helping businesses maintain accurate stock levels, reduce overselling, and streamline the journey from checkout to dispatch. The platform can embrace housewares, gift, DIY, garden and SEA.
With more than 4,000 retailers using Linnworks globally, the platform processes over $18 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) and more than 250 million orders each year. As a BHETA Business Support
Provider, Linnworks will be able to engage with BHETA members and share its expertise in areas including multichannel selling, inventory management, order management and fulfilment. Steve Richardson, BHETA’s General Manager commented: “Linnworks brings valuable expertise in multichannel commerce and fulfilment, areas that are increasingly important to businesses selling across multiple channels. We’re pleased to welcome the team to BHETA.”
Bira warns visitor levy could hit high street spending
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has warned that the government’s proposed
4 DIY WEEK SEPTEMBER 2026
Overnight Visitor Levy could reduce spending in independent shops and hospitality businesses.
Wickes also reported further
retail market share gains, particularly in decorating, gardening and timber. The retailer completed eight
store refits or refreshes during the period and plans to open four to five new stores in the second half, supporting its longer-term ambition to reach 300 locations. Trading has improved in the
third quarter, with retail like-for- like revenue growth reaching mid-single digits. Wickes remains on track to meet full- year profit expectations. The Q3 trading update will be released in late October.
Gardena takes on the Yorkshire Three Peaks in support of UNICEF
supported one another throughout the demanding trek, demonstrating the collaborative spirit that sits at the heart of GARDENA’s culture.
Leading gardening care brand GARDENA recently challenged their UK team to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a demanding 24 mile walk to summit Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough,
The levy will give mayors and local leaders powers to charge visitors a percentage of their accommodation costs, with revenue intended to support local investment.
While welcoming greater local control over tourism funding, Bira is concerned that additional accommodation
all while carrying 5L of water. Bringing together colleagues
from across the business, the challenge highlighted the power of teamwork, determination and a shared commitment to making a difference. Participants
costs could leave visitors with less money to spend on the high street.
The association is calling for assurances that revenue raised locally will be reinvested in the same area, directly benefiting businesses serving visitors. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “If this money isn’t
The challenge was undertaken to raise money in support of UNICEF’s WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) programmes. These programmes help to provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene services for children and communities in more than 100 countries around the world. Through flexible funding, GARDENA has been supporting UNICEF’s work for children since 2018, helping to deliver programmes where they are needed most, helping children, families, and communities thrive.
visibly and directly reinvested into the high streets that serve visitors, we risk taking money out of local economies rather than putting it back in. “We need cast-iron assurances that the money raised in a town or city will actually be spent supporting the businesses in that same town or city.”
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