‘Next day’ deliveries exceed ‘economy’ deliveries for the first time
Arguably this isn’t strictly trade news, but it taps into a wider trend that does affect businesses in the fastener, tool and related industries – that speed of delivery has trumped low cost deliveries for customers the first time. Online consumer retail order growth was up 18.2% year-on-year in August, according to the latest data […]
IN-DEPTH: How hire companies and manufacturers are taking on tool thieves
Just how big is the tool theft problem? And isn’t it just a problem for consumers and insurance companies? The reality is that tool theft has an extensive effect throughout the market. At one extreme, frustrated hire companies are contemplating refusing to stock brands that don’t help them to tackle theft and increasingly savvy consumers and tradespeople are becoming equally picky about choosing brands that […]
Clas Ohlson enters the German market
Global hardware and electrical retailer Clas Ohlson has reported a modest rise in sales in a period that has seen it step into the German market for the first time. The firm, which also retails home, multimedia and leisure, saw sales amount to 1,763 MSEK from May to July 2016,representing a 2% rise in local currencies. In […]
Screwfix and B&Q owner seeking new London HQ
Ahead of the publication of its first half year results for 2016, Kingfisher is reportedly seeking a new large London HQ. It is being widely reported in the press that Kingfisher, owner of two of the UK’s largest DIY and hardware retail empires – B&Q and Screwfix – is searching for a 300,000 sq ft […]
Builders Merchants shrug off pre-Brexit jitters for Q2 sales rise
Builders Merchants sales were up 6.2% in Q2 2016, compared with the same period in 2015, with ex-VAT sales reaching £1.44 billion compared to £1.36 billion (BMN). Covering the three months leading up to the UK’s vote to leave the EU, sales were seemingly unaffected by pre-vote jitters, with year-on-year sales growth in Ironmongery – […]
Europe sales buoy Norma results
NORMA Group’s half year financials revealed growth, with sales up 1.9% to €462.8 million in H1 2016 compared with H1 2015 (€454.3m). Organic growth hit 2.8% and adjusted EBITA was up 3.1% to €83.9m (earnings before interest, taxes and amortization of intangible assets). Sales in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) were up 7.1% in […]
Travis Perkins profits up, but Brexit dents demand
Travis Perkins has seen revenue and profits rise, but has sounded a note of caution over the UK’s vote to exit the EU and the resultant uncertainty in the market. The owner of Toolstation, Wickes and Benchmarx saw group revenue rise to 3.11 billion in H1 2016, up from £2.94 billion in H1 2015, up 3.1% […]
Profits and revenue rise for Robert Price
Pre-tax profit rose from £1.3m to £2.2m for Robert Price & Sons in the year to 30 September 2015 (reports Insider Media). The company saw a rise in revenue to £38.6m from £34.6m in the period, with sales significantly up (15%) for the Builders Merchants part of the business. The Welsh company has recently pledged to […]
Revenue rises in Q2 for Stanley Black & Decker
Stanley Black & Decker revenues rose 2% to $2.9 billion in Q2 2016, with 4% organic growth. The outgoing CEO noted that there could be a potential fall out from Brexit and a challenging operating environment, but said innovation and organisational agility would help the firm through. The Q2 period saw Stanley Black & Decker announced its […]
Snap-on Tools sales rise to $872 million
Snap-on Incorporated has seen sales grow $20.5 million to $872.3 million, an increase of 2.4% on 2015 numbers. Excluding $10.2 million of currency conversion and $5.9 million of acquisition sales, organic sales grew $24.8 million (2.9%). The Snap-on Tools Group segment sales of $416.7 million in the quarter rose $18.0 million, or 4.5%, from 2015 levels. Excluding […]