UK: Wickes Publish Fourth quarter 2022 Trading Update.

Wickes Group PLC�has forecast full-year adjusted pre-tax profits in line with market expectations after reporting strong quarter-four trading with sales up 11.5%,

In a trading update, the building materials supplier reported particularly strong growth in its Do It For Me business where sales in the 13 weeks to 31 December 2022 soared 34.5% on last year, although the prior year was hit by the omicron outbreak.

Core like-for-like sales rose 5.2% in the fourth quarter, continuing the improving trend since the summer.

David Wood, CEO of Wickes, commented: "Wickes traded well during the period, with Group sales up 11.5%, underpinned by our relentless focus on value, availability and service.

With the increased cost of living and colder winter months we have seen more customers turning to Wickes for help to reduce their energy usage and bills. We're providing market-leading value on products, from loft insulation through to draught excluders, and customers are visiting our online Sustainable House Guide for great hints and tips on how to reduce energy and cut back on costs.

Wickes continues to demonstrate the strength of its uniquely balanced business model. We remain focused on our growth levers to ensure that we continue to outperform the market."
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www.wickesplc.co.uk
www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk

Shoptalk Europe: Europe’s Greatest Retail Show!

Taking place in Fira Gran Via in Barcelona on 9-11 May, Shoptalk is the world’s largest�
community�of�retail�changemakers.

America’s largest retail�innovation�show�is coming to�Europe�this year and will bring�together�3500+�attendees�from large�retailers�and�brands,�startup,�technology�companies, investors,�media�and�analysts. The event will feature 175+ mic drop industry�legends�and rising�stars�who will rock the stages.

Moreover, all Senior Executives from the�home improvement�sector who take part in the Shoptalk Hosted Meetings Programme will get a free Shoptalk Ticket plus a €650 travel and hotel reimbursement! Special offers are extended to all EDRA/GHIN members!

Register here -�https://lnkd.in/eV2UyCc2

www.shoptalkeurope.com

Sweden: Byggmax Publish Year-End Report January 1 - December 31, 2022.

Byggmax, one of the leading Nordic retail chains with 200 physical stores in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark published their Year-End report demonstrating a stronger position in a tough market

As a summary of the fourth quarter of 2022, net sales amounted to SEK 1,170 M (1,301), representing a decrease of 10.0 percent. The Group’s currency adjusted like-for-like sales decreased by 15.2 percent and�gross margin was 35.2 percent (34.8).
The group’s annual revenue 2022 was SEK 7.3 billion

www.news.cision.com

Recommended Global Trade Fair: spoga+gafa, 18–20 June 2023!

After Berlin, join us in Cologne! | The spoga+gafa will take place from June 18th to 20th, 2023 in Cologne.

Visiting the 9^th Global DIY Summit �in Berlin? Then you should prolong your stay in Germany and visit the spoga+gafa fair! All EDRA/GHIN visitors to the Global DIY-Summit will be invited to attend the worldwide biggest garden lifestyle fair from June 18th to 20th, 2023 in Cologne.

You’ll get to experience international product innovations and gain insights into current trends and the development of the garden industry. Within the context of “Social Gardens – places of encounters“ you can expect a varying program within the three days of the fair, you can take the opportunity to network, and you can meet with top-players of the green segment.

Enjoy these benefits:

• Free entry to the fair area for the days
• Actual trends and insights of the green industry in 12 exhibition halls
• Comprehensive program with top speakers
• One-Stop-Shopping
• Access to the VIP-Lounge on all three days of the show.�

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Further highlights for all attendees of the Global DIY-Summit:

• Traditional “brewery" evening event in Cologne prior to the start of the fair (Saturday, June 17th, 23)
• Invitation to 6 o`clock party (Sunday, June, 18th) at the Rhine terraces in Cologne

Please find further information here: www.spogagafa.com

www.spogagafa.de

What are Retail Media Networks?�

As online shopping becomes more popular among consumers, retail media becomes more popular with brands.�

The term�retail�media refers to the actual advertising served on a retailer's media network.�External stores that want to reach relevant audiences work with a retailer to create advertising campaigns for those digital channels.

What benefits can be found for both retailers and suppliers through Retail Media Networks, and how can they be established?�

Read more here: www.diysummit.org/retail-media-networks/�
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www.diysummit.org

Italy: Marco Orlandelli is the New President of MADE4DIY.

The General Assembly of the MADE4DIY Consortium has recently concluded.

The Assembly was held on 20.01.2023 at the new operational headquarters of MADE4DIY, located in the province of Rimini.

During the Assembly, the 2022 Financial Statements were presented and approved and elections were also held for the renewal of the Board of Directors for the three-year period 2023/2026.

The new Board of Directors is made up as follows:

• President: Marco Orlandelli (CEO of Organization Orlandelli Srl).
• Vice President: Marchini Andrea (CEO of Ipierre System Srl)

The new Board of Directors immediately thanked the members of the outgoing Board of Directors for the work done to date and the Assembly of consortium members for the trust placed in them, stating that the maximum effort will be made in order to grow the activities of MADE4DIY in the coming years, giving all the necessary support to member companies to tackle the Home Improvement sector.
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www.made4diy.com

Germany: New Einhell Study Confirms Great Interest in DIY.

Interest in DIY is high in Germany, according to one of the core results of the Einhell Do-It-Yourself Study 2023 interested in beautifying your own four walls.�With the current DIY study, we want to get a closer look at this behavior and analyze it more deeply," says Andreas Kroiss, CEO of Einhell Germany AG.

56 percent of the survey participants agree with the statement "I absolutely love home improvement" and 69 percent with the statement "I absolutely love gardening".�Three out of four respondents always or sometimes use electric or battery-powered devices.�According to the study, the motives for the activity are above all independence, relaxation, self-realization and self-affirmation.�Apart from a lack of time, there is little that speaks against DIY activities for those surveyed.

www.diyonline.de

Australia: Hardware Australia and TABMA Australia Merge.

Hardware Australia and TABMA Australia recently announced their intention to join forces into a merged entity and create a single Association to represent the timber and hardware industry nationally.

The new organisation will be a representation of what the industry will be in the future. TABMA Australia and Hardware Australia are coming together to ensure their members are properly supported in this new and more diverse environment.

Both Boards view this as a great opportunity to be ‘stronger together’, especially across national advocacy and policy issues when engaging with important stakeholders.

The joining of Associations will benefit both groups of members with opportunities to expand their networks, access greater services and create new business opportunities as well as having a truly national presence with a combined 700+ members from all aspects of the timber, building materials and hardware sectors.
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www,hardwareaustralia.com.au

USA: Tractor Supply Grows by 11.6 per cent in 2022.�

Tractor Supply, rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has reported financial results for fiscal year 2022. Net sales increased 11.6 per cent to USD 14.20 bn compared to USD 12.73 bn in 2021.

The fiscal year included an additional week of sales as part of the company's 53-week calendar in 2022, which accounted for 1.8 percentage points of sales growth. Comparable sales increased 6.3 per cent compared to a 16.9 per cent increase in 2021.

"Tractor Supply had another remarkable year in 2022 as we continued to gain market share and advance our strategic initiatives. In just over two years since the launch of our Life Out Here strategy, we have implemented Project Fusion in nearly 30 per cent of our shops, built more than 300 garden centres, expanded our digital and supply chain capabilities and increased our Neighbor's Club membership by 47 per cent to more than 28 million members. These investments are resonating well with our customers as we ended the year with strong sales growth," said Hal Lawton, chief executive officer of Tractor Supply.

www.diyinternational.com

Germany: Bosch Acquires Husqvarna Shares.�

Robert Bosch GmbH has agreed to acquire around 12 percent of the shares in the Swedish company Husqvarna, reports the German manufacturer.�Husqvarna is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.�The aim of the share purchase is to strengthen the existing battery cooperation between the two companies.�Husqvarna also owns the Gardena subsidiary and its Flymo brand, both of which are also partners in Bosch Power Tools' "Power for All Alliance".

“We are pursuing a consistent growth strategy in our business activities for end users.�This also includes strengthening existing partnerships through equity investments.�Our 'Power for All Alliance' is a success story that we want to continue,” says Christian Fischer, deputy chairman of the Bosch board of management and responsible for the Energy and Building Technology and Consumer Goods divisions.
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www.diyonline.de/