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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News
Kingfisher cautious on outlook as international sales slip
Kingfisher is remaining cautious on its outlook for the next financial year after it saw total and international sales slip.
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News
B&Q and DTC paint company Lick strike in-store partnership
B&Q is set to stock a range of paint, samples and decorating accessories from direct-to-consumer brand Lick in its stores across the UK and Ireland.
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Interview
Q&A: B&Q marketing director Tom Hampson on the power of ‘You Can Do It’
As B&Q dusts off its ‘You Can Do It’ slogan for a new advertising campaign, we spoke to marketing director Tom Hampson about the power of the catchphrase, balancing innovation with heritage, and influencer marketing
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News
B&Q refreshes ‘You Can Do It’ slogan in new ad campaign
B&Q is launching a new ad campaign that puts the spotlight back on its 40-year-old ‘You Can Do It’ slogan.
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Analysis
Staff discounts: What do the UK’s biggest retailers offer?
Working on the shopfloor can be a tough gig. With rising incidents of crime and abuse, retailers have to look after their employees with a wealth of support as well as additional perks to drive engagement. With that in mind, we looked at the staff discounts offered by the 30 biggest retailers in the UK
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News
Kingfisher sets 20,000 staff training target for B&Q and Screwfix
B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher aims to have thousands of colleagues complete an apprenticeship, traineeship or formal qualification by 2030.
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News
B&Q becomes ‘highest-paying major retailer’ after pay boost
B&Q has raised its hourly rate of pay and now claims to be the highest-paying major retailer in the UK.
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Gallery
The best new stores of 2023
From soaps on sushi belts at Lush Glasgow to in-house tea rooms at Uniqlo, Covent Garden here some of the most exciting stores that opened up in 2023.
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Innovation of the Week
B&Q launches retail media network
Innovation of the Week is a subscriber-only series highlighting retail initiatives that have caught the eye of our analysts.
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News
Exclusive: B&Q faces staff backlash over contract changes
B&Q is facing backlash from employees surrounding changes to paid breaks and reduced hours, Retail Week can reveal.
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Analysis
Kitchen 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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News
Kingfisher 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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Interview
Q&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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News
Lick 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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Analysis
How 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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Innovation of the Week
Innovation 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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News
Kingfisher 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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Analysis
Strategy 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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News
Exclusive: 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.