All B&Q articles
B&Q is a DIY and home improvement retailer in the UK, operating as a subsidiary of Kingfisher, which also owns Screwfix. Founded in 1969 by Richard Block and David Quayle, the retailer was bought first by Woolworths in the early 1980s, before the group was sold to Kingfisher. Kingfisher has been investing heavily in digital across the group, improving fulfilment and mobile to drive online growth. The retailer’s greatest growth potential lies in omnichannel and it is fast developing its offer. It is also overhauling its systems in a bid to drive efficiency and make the business more agile. Smaller-format stores have been around since 2017, with an offer tailored to urban markets.
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AnalysisKitchen nightmares: what do property market worries mean for DIY retailers?
What do the UK’s biggest home improvement retailers think about the trouble swirling in a market which closely mirrors the fortunes of their own?
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NewsKingfisher cuts profit forecast as tough trading conditions bite
DIY giant Kingfisher has slashed full-year profit expectations after facing harsh trading conditions, particularly in overseas markets.
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Opinion‘Rain may mean soggy footfall, but retailers can’t forget the big climate picture’
Day to day, rain has probably been front of mind for retailers as dismal July weather resulted in soggy footfall in many places.
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InterviewQ&A: Kingfisher’s Dorothee D’Herde on meeting cost and sustainability needs
Kingfisher’s director of responsible business Dorothee D’Herde speaks to Retail Week about how the cost-of-living crisis is shaping how shoppers view sustainability
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NewsLick to launch online with B&Q
Lick Home’s paint range is now available to shop online from B&Q’s site diy.com, alongside a raft of new home decorating assistance for shoppers.
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AnalysisHow retailers are creating the best in-store experiences
The purpose of the retail store faced an overhaul as the pandemic caused many shops to shut for months, with customers having no choice but to turn to online shopping.
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AnalysisInnovation of the Week: DIY retailers join forces to tackle emissions
Innovation of the Week is a subscriber-only series highlighting retail initiatives that have caught the eye of our analysts.
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NewsKingfisher sales dampened by wet weather
Kingfisher has reported flat sales as wet weather dampened demand for seasonal products like barbecues and garden furniture.
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AnalysisStrategy spotlight: Five ways Kingfisher is maximising growth with Screwfix
Barring the huge boost for the sector during the pandemic, DIY giant Kingfisher has been reliant on its Screwfix trade-counter format to drive sales and profit growth in recent years. Meanwhile, its larger businesses, including B&Q in the UK and Brico Dépôt and Castorama in France, have struggled in a difficult trading environment
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NewsExclusive: Wickes boss ‘curious’ about high street DIY store concept
Wickes chief executive David Wood says he is “curious” about the idea of high street DIY shops, a concept currently being trialled by competitors B&Q and Ikea.
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NewsExclusive: B&Q and Screwfix to hike hourly pay rates
Kingfisher is increasing the hourly pay rate for its B&Q and Screwfix employees by more than 8% year-on-year, from the beginning of the new financial year.
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Opinion‘Does Tile Giant administration signal the end of the DIY boom?’
After a phenomenally busy period when everybody became Handy Andy or Andrea and painted the walls rather than climbed them during the depressing days of lockdowns, things are looking trickier as the consumer mentality shifts from DIY to done-IY.
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GalleryStore gallery: B&Q opens Local c-stores in high street push
DIY specialist B&Q has opened its first two smaller-format Local convenience stores as it plans to sharpen its focus on the high street.
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NewsExclusive: B&Q severs Asda partnership to focus on smaller-format stores
B&Q has decided to end its partnership with Asda and close eight concessions around the country to instead focus on rolling out smaller-format, high street fascias.
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NewsExclusive: Kingfisher tech chief to leave as ‘next phase of digital journey’ begins
Kingfisher chief digital and technology officer JJ Van Oosten is leaving the DIY giant, Retail Week can reveal.
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Retail VoiceHow data can shine a light on supply chain visibility
With sustainability continuing to climb the retail agenda, Altruistiq’s Saif Hameed and Sir Ian Cheshire examine what more businesses can be doing.
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AnalysisWho will be retail’s winners and losers in 2023?
Who will thrive and who will flounder in 2023? Retail experts share their tips for the year ahead
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NewsKingfisher inches down profit guidance amid rising wages and energy bills
Kingfisher has shaved £10m from the upper end of its profit guidance in the face of rising wages and energy bills.
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OpinionGraham Bell: ‘Retailers have as big a role as government in tackling cost-of-living crisis’
Retailers are undoubtedly operating in an ongoing challenging environment, with consumers facing the challenges of the increased cost of living against the backdrop of a looming recession.
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NewsBoots, Asda, M&S and B&Q to team up with start-ups to solve biggest challenges
Retail leaders from some of the biggest names in the business will come together next month to discover the innovators solving the industry’s trickiest challenges.
