Retail store Wickes reported a 2.1% increase in revenue to £865.3 million (US$1.16 billion) for the first half of its 2026 financial year, supported by growth in its TradePro and Design & Installation businesses, which offset a slight decline in like-for-like Retail sales. For the 26 weeks ended 27 June 2026, group revenue increased from £847.9 million (US$1.14 billion) in H1 2025. Adjusted profit before tax rose 1.1% to £27.6 million (US$37.0 million), while statutory profit

production unit POLAND: Cersanit S.A., a manufacturer of ceramic and porcelain tiles and bathroom equipment, plans to implement collective redundancies affecting 487 employees across five production facilities in Poland, according to information provided by the District Labour Office in Krasnystaw. The planned reductions will affect plants in Krasnystaw, Starachowice, Opoczno, Radom and Wałbrzych, with employee notices expected to be issued in stages between August and Novemb

Price Increase UK: Fireclay sink brand Shaws of Darwen has announced a significant price increase across its product portfolio, with one distributor warning that some prices could rise by as much as 300%. Jonathan White, Sales Director EMEAA at parent company Fortune Brands Innovations, confirmed that the increase will take effect from 1 November. He said current prices no longer adequately reflect the cost of manufacturing and supplying Shaws products. According to White, Fo

Inflation EUROPE: Euro zone wage growth continued to moderate in the second quarter, even as inflation picked up, while negotiated wage agreements indicate only a mild acceleration next year. This is expected to provide some reassurance to European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers that wage pressures remain contained. The ECB is closely monitoring wage developments amid concerns that higher energy prices could trigger stronger pay demands and create a persistent wage-price spi

Trade New Zealand’s Parliament has passed legislation to implement the country’s free trade agreement with India, paving the way for reduced or zero tariffs on around 95% of New Zealand’s exports to the Indian market. The legislation was approved by 93 votes to 29, with the opposition Labour Party supporting the measure. More than half of the products covered under the agreement are expected to become duty-free from the date of implementation. In return, India will receive du

appointment Dornbracht has appointed Olaf Hoppe as managing director, effective 14 September 2026. The 59-year-old executive joins the Iserlohn-based fittings manufacturer after serving as CEO of SieMatic, where he oversaw the company’s transformation. Hoppe will assume overall management responsibilities following the departure of CSMO Caroline Schmitt and CFO Natalia Castellucci de Kolb. His appointment comes as Dornbracht continues to implement a strategy aimed at strength

Boiling taps Quooker UK, a manufacturer of boiling water taps, has officially entered the commercial market as part of a strategy to expand its presence in the UK office sector. The company previously supplied products to a limited number of offices but is now targeting the commercial channel as a dedicated growth area. According to Managing Director Stephen Johnson, Quooker has established a separate team of commercial specialists to develop the new channel independently fro

Wholesale market USA: According to a study by the Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), HVACR wholesale distribution in the U.S. directly supports more than 100,000 jobs and contributes nearly $33 billion in annual economic output. HARDI’s study, Keeping America Comfortable: A Baseline Economic Impact Analysis of HVACR Wholesale Distribution Across All 50 States, found that the sector supports 101,817 jobs, generates $32.9 billion in ec

Distribution Distribution major Ferguson Enterprises Inc. reported solid second-quarter sales despite an uncertain economic environment, a sluggish US residential market and challenging market conditions in Canada. During an August 10 earnings call, CEO Kevin Murphy and CFO Bill Brundage expressed confidence in the company’s outlook for the remainder of the year. Ferguson raised its guidance and now expects mid-single-digit sales growth in 2026, compared with its previous exp

Heat pump UK: North Devon College has opened a specialist heat pump training centre at its Sticklepath campus in partnership with heating technology manufacturer Vaillant Group UK. The Low Carbon Training Centre will provide apprentices with training on the latest heat pump technologies, while also offering upskilling courses for existing plumbing and heating professionals. The centre is Vaillant’s only training facility in South West England outside Bristol and one of only f

bathroom store India’s luxury bathroom market is increasingly shifting towards products that combine functionality with design, aesthetics, technology and personalization. GADOTT, the luxury bathware brand of VMS Bathware, is seeking to capitalize on this trend through design-focused products tailored to the requirements of Indian consumers. The brand currently operates through around 10 dealers, primarily in North India, along with an experience centre in New Delhi. It plans

ceramics Jaipur Capital, a strategic investment and holding platform, has acquired the manufacturing business and selected assets of Global Ceramics Private Limited through an asset transfer transaction. Manufacturing operations will be carried out through Melozzo Living Limited, a bathroom and home solutions company. As part of the transaction, Global Ceramics has transferred its industrial land, manufacturing facility, plant and machinery and other agreed business assets to