HVAC USA: Lowe's has launched a new “associate-powered” annual subscription service, HomeCare+, for members of its MyLowe’s Rewards program. Priced at $99 per year, the offering provides seven in-home maintenance services designed to help homeowners manage routine upkeep more easily. The company stated that the program will be accessible to over 75% of households across the U.S. The subscription includes two in-home visits annually, during which local store associates can per

Bed Bath & Beyond USA: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., the parent company of Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock, buybuy BABY, and Kirkland’s, has signed a letter of intent to acquire the equity interests and most assets of F9 Brands Inc. The transaction is valued at approximately $150 million, comprising $37 million in cash and around 16 million shares of BBBY stock priced at $7.00 per share, reflecting a current value of about $107 million. F9 Brands owns and operates businesses including

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances USA: (PFAS) are becoming an increasing concern for homeowners and building owners, as these chemicals do not easily break down in the environment. With improved testing methods, PFAS are now being detected more frequently and at lower concentrations in water systems, raising both awareness and concern. What was once largely overlooked is now a key issue for many. Regulatory developments are accelerating this shift. The Environmental Protect

Home Improvement USA: As pricing pressures continue to influence the home improvement market, a growing number of U.S. homeowners are considering product origin in their purchasing decisions. According to new data from the Home Improvement Research Institute, nearly one in three homeowners takes into account whether a product is made in the U.S. when buying home improvement materials, tools, and products—highlighting domestic manufacturing as a key differentiator for a signif

Home Depot USA: The Home Depot has introduced more than a dozen AI-driven capabilities, with several additional solutions currently in development. According to CIO Angie Brown, the focus is not just on adding new features but on enhancing convenience and improving both customer and associate experiences. These innovations complement Pro-focused tools such as blueprint takeoffs, real-time delivery tracking for large orders, and materials list builders. Behind the scenes, the

Partners with PHG UK: Flair Showers has entered into a partnership with Plumbing Heating Group (PHG), a merchant buying group in the United Kingdom, to expand the availability of its shower solutions. Under the agreement, PHG members will be able to supply a range of products including shower enclosures, bathscreens and wetrooms from the Flair PRO and Harmony collections. PHG operates 308 branches across the country, including bathroom showrooms and plumbing and heating trade

Bauhaus Expands Ship-from-Store Model in Nordic E-commerce Nordic Region (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden): Bauhaus has partnered with logistics service provider nShift to expand its ship-from-store model for e-commerce operations across the Nordic countries. The initiative follows a pilot programme in which approximately 200,000 orders were processed using the system. The company expects around 750,000 online orders to be handled through the platform by 2026. Under this mod

Sloan Acquires Stake in Essel Bath Fittings to Expand India Presence India/USA: Sloan, a United States-based plumbing systems manufacturer, has acquired a controlling stake in Essel Bath Fittings to expand its presence in the Indian bath fittings market. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The partnership aims to utilise Essel’s manufacturing capabilities and distribution network to address demand in both premium and mid-segment categories. Essel will con

Toto Suspends Bathroom Orders Amid Material Shortages Japan: Toto has suspended new orders for prefabricated and modular bathrooms due to shortages of key materials linked to disruptions in global oil supply chains. The company informed its business partners of the decision and has not indicated when order acceptance will resume. The shortage is linked to reduced availability of naphtha, a petroleum-based feedstock used in plastics, of which Japan imports a significant share

Duravit Appoints Michael Demmer as Interim CEO Germany: Duravit AG has appointed Michael Demmer as Interim Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. The appointment forms part of an ongoing strategic realignment and is intended to ensure continuity across the company’s processes, projects and strategic initiatives. “I will continue to develop Duravit AG with a clear strategy that puts people first and consistently strengthens the core brand. In doing so, we will focus ev

Manufacturing unit INDIA: Prince Pipes and Fittings Limited has completed the second phase of its asset purchase agreement, acquiring a manufacturing facility in Bhuj to strengthen its bathware segment and support the expansion of its “Aquel by Prince” portfolio. Prince Pipes and Fittings Limited (PPFL) had earlier announced an Asset Purchase Agreement on March 20, 2024, structured in two phases. In the first phase, the company acquired the Aquel brand along with associated m

Duravit AG and CEO Stephan Patrick Tahy Part Ways by Mutual Agreement GERMANY: Hornberg-based German bathroom manufacturer Duravit AG and CEO Stephan Patrick Tahy have mutually agreed to end their collaboration. The decision follows discussions between the Supervisory Board, owners, and Tahy, who concluded that their visions for the company’s future strategic direction no longer aligned. The board and owners thanked Tahy for his dedication and strategic contributions, while T

Tariff Disruption Across Kitchen, Bathroom and Construction Industries USA: Recent tariff changes in the United States have created significant uncertainty across the kitchen, bathroom and construction sectors. New and fluctuating import duties, particularly on Chinese goods, are disrupting global supply chains, increasing material costs and placing pressure on businesses and consumers alike. Industry leaders warn that tariffs may drive inflation higher, reduce demand and for

Creditors Approve Hüppe GmbH’s Restructuring Plan GERMANY: Creditors of German shower specialist Hüppe GmbH have overwhelmingly approved the company’s restructuring plan, clearing a key hurdle for its realignment. The Oldenburg Local Court confirmed the plan, which will become binding once the two‑week appeal period expires and protective shield proceedings are lifted. Management said the decision gives the firm strong momentum for its turnaround. Hüppe will focus production

Sorento Capital Unveils Dual Growth Strategy to Expand Market Presence MALAYSIA: Malaysian sanitary ware distributor is pursuing a two-pronged growth strategy to widen its market reach. The first approach targets the hardware retail segment with the launch of the Sorento Lite series, an economical range of replacement plumbing fittings sold through hardware stores. The initiative aims to leverage Malaysia’s 10,000+ hardware outlets, generating recurring demand from wear-and-t

Key Wellness Trends Shaping Modern Bathroom Design for the Bath USA: Personal wellness is now central to bathroom design, with homeowners seeking spaces that support relaxation, recovery and daily rituals. Bathtubs, steam showers and saunas are increasingly valued for their therapeutic benefits rather than simple luxury. A major shift is the move towards integrated wellness, where features such as hydrotherapy, chromotherapy and aromatherapy are seamlessly built into the desi

Luxury Shower Design Trends Shift Toward Wellness, Spa-Like Experiences in Residential Bathrooms USA: In the United States, bathroom design is increasingly focusing on the shower as the central luxury feature, reflecting a shift from traditional bathtubs to wellness-oriented spaces. According to industry designers, homeowners are incorporating spa-style amenities such as steam systems, aromatherapy, chromatherapy, multiple showerheads, rain showers, and body sprays to create

Targets 100 Stores by 2030 Netherlands / USA : Dutch discount retailer Action has announced plans to enter the United States following its continued European expansion, with its first store expected to open in the southeastern region by late 2027 or early 2028. Founded in 1993 in Enkhuizen, the company has grown to 3,302 stores across Europe and aims to establish 100 U.S. locations by 2030 using a disciplined, step-by-step expansion strategy. Recently, Action launched its fi

Emerging Ceramic Tile Styles from Coverings 2026 USA: At Coverings 2026 in Las Vegas, ceramic and porcelain tiles showcased innovative trends shaping kitchen and bathroom design. Designers highlighted tactile finishes, bold textures and artistic surfaces that enhance both visual and sensory appeal. Popular styles include green toned tiles, metallic accents and terrazzo inspired looks, alongside minimalist ivory palettes. Smaller detailed formats and highly textured geometric

West Asia tensions disrupt Morbi ceramic industry; high PNG prices stall fuel shift INDIA: Ceramic manufacturers in Morbi, Gujarat, have extended their shutdown until May 1, following a sharp increase in piped natural gas (PNG) prices by Gujarat Gas Limited. The industry had halted operations on March 17 due to a fuel supply disruption linked to tensions in Iran, which affected propane-LPG imports via the Strait of Hormuz. Tile manufacturers, who rely heavily on LPG, are now