Hardware & Homestyle Nov 24-Jan25 by Martin Foran

Redefining

a hard day’s

work

On the Record

Carol Marks, sector manager for horticulture at Bord Bia, is a graduate of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.

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Martin Foran

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Whilst every e ort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this journal is correct, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors, omissions or discrepancies. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher.

It all means preparation and more preparation of course. But that is something suppliers in this

sector have always excelled at.

The promise of brighter days! Leader

Welcome to the first issue of 2025 and what a full issue we have to kick o the year! This is only right of course; this time of year is one that is always full of hope and optimism with spring stretching out ahead and the promise of brighter days.

Spring brings with it the start of the traditional DIY/Home maintenance season and with a relatively new Bank Holiday now at the start of February, commentators have noted how they see things kicking o on the home maintenance front earlier than was the previous norm.

It all means preparation and more preparation of course. But that is something suppliers in this sector have always excelled at.

In this issue we will hear from many of them alongside our regular commentary, profiles, news and features.

With household names like Dulux and Fleetwood, Bostik and Pipelife and many more besides, it’s great to check in on the latest news and o erings and that is what we do here, once again.

In On The Record, we look at horticulture with Carol Marks from Bord Bia in a wide-ranging conversation that covers a lot of bases and will be sure to be of interest for those o ering even the most basic supplies in this area – which is due to really come into its own in a very short time.

We also look again at some inspiring retail from around the world in The Homefront and we check in on some recent major award winners – including Octabuild, while our garden retail sales guru Liam Kelly dispenses his usual nuggets of advice and inspiration!

And finally, Je Haden rounds it all o on a positive note, as always!

Martin Foran, Editor

WHERE THE INDUSTRY CONNECTS AROUND INNOVATION AND INSPIRATION

The Inspired Home Show 2025 will be the 125th edition of the trade show. Although much has changed since the first event was held in 1939, one quality that has remained consistent throughout the decades is the Show’s dedication to bringing high-quality buyers and sellers together. In March, we will celebrate our past as well as our future as we continue to evolve in order to create the most productive and vibrant home + housewares marketplace possible.

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago, 2-4 March!

Derek Miller, President & CEO, International Housewares Association

Carol Marks of

Bia joins us this time out with some fascinating insights

Our trip to the ‘so er’ side of the sector; including a look at some exceptional retail from around the world, this time out we stop in Germany!

It’s that time of year when we are accompanied to Chicago by a store from our sector to attend the gia awards evening. Aboretum in County Wicklow are our guests

Retail Excellence Ireland announced the winners of categories at the AIB Merchant Services Retail Excellence Ireland Awards

Spring Fair annually hosts over 1,200 exhibitors, showcasing over a million new products

Awards Report

Telfords Portlaoise Ltd. was the winner of the overall Octabuild Award for Excellence at the 2024 all-island Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards

Pipelife announced the launch of an ambitious 3-year training, innovation & development programme to support the future growth of the business

Following on from our theme of Gardening ‘25 as set in On The Record, Liam Kelly, our gardening retail guru has some sage advice as always

What’s caught our eye? Includes the latest o erings from household names in our sector: Dulux, Fleetwood, Zinsser, Contech and more…

Again, Je Haden rounds it all o with an inspirational and thought-provoking message

Upgraded Aboretum Kilquade is our gia store!

Our gia representative store for 2025 is Wicklow-based Aboretum, Kilquade! The outlet was last year relaunched after a complete refurbishment and reimagining of the original garden centre and lifestyle destination store.

Taoiseach Simon Harris officially opened the €4.5m redeveloped outlet.

The state-of-the-art 2,400m² garden centre would create twenty-five new jobs, in addition to the existing twenty-five employees, giving a total team of 200 people across the business.

Two others

Arboretum – which is a family-owned business – operates two other garden and lifestyle centres, the flagship store in Leighlinbridge, Carlow and Urban Green, Parnell Street, Dublin.

The investment in Wicklow transformed the garden and retail centre into a thoroughly modern, comfortable shopping and meeting space completely covered by a glass roof.

The facility features homewares, indoor and outdoor plants and gardening equipment as well as health and wellness, fashion and food offerings and ‘Rachel’s Secret Garden’ café.

Invested

The Doyle family invested heavily in sustainable technology –with a rainwater harvesting system to water plants and solar panel generated electricity for heat and light – future proofing the facility for generations to come.

For more see special gia feature in this issue.

AIB Merchant Services Retail Excellence Ireland Awards

Top names from our sector shine!

Retail Excellence Ireland, the representative body for the retail industry, announced the winners of the AIB Merchant Services Retail Excellence Ireland Awards.

Attended

All roads headed West for the occasion as executives from the industry attended the ceremony at the Galmont Hotel in Galway.

Dublin-based Diamond Furniture won National Retailer of the Year and was commended by the judges for an impressive store design, a high level of attention to detail, and having an overall five-star customer experience.

Windyridge Garden Centre won the inaugural Independent Store of the Year Award.

Impressed

The judges were impressed by the excellent visual merchandising and creative flair in transforming a store into an immersive retail experience.

For more see our report in this issue.

Windyridge Garden Centre

Average household – €1555 on Christmas 2024

Retail Ireland published data suggesting the average household would spend €1555 more in retail during the month of December compared to other months, up 1% on the previous year.

In the run up to Christmas the organisation expected ‘to see about €8.9bn in retail spending in December, €3bn more than the typical spend in other months.

‘Christmas spending growth will be supported, in part, by Budget 2025, which put €2bn back into the economy in November and December in additional cost of living supports,’ said Retail Ireland.

Delayed

Retail Ireland Director Arnold Dillon said at the time: ‘Black Friday falling a week later than last year and bad weather earlier in the month meant some delayed their Christmas shopping, but there has been encouraging trends.’

Consumers are decerning,’ noted

Dillon. ‘Cost of living concerns remain – and this is translating into shopping patterns, with many still looking for value or focusing on a smaller number of bigger purchases.

‘Despite these factors, consumer sentiment has improved over recent months with shoppers determined to get the full Christmas experience.

‘We expect this positive trend to continue into 2025.’

Challenging

‘It has been a challenging year for retail, with sentiment improving steadily, but not by as much as we might have expected.

‘Business costs have also increased very significantly. Inflation has dropped dramatically over recent months, but a more benign inflationary outlook and strong employment has not fully translated into retail spending increases.

‘Retailers will be hoping that cost of living concerns ease further in 2025.’

SFA National Small Business Awards 2025 Finalists

The finalists in the SFA National Business Awards 2025 have been officially announced by Sue O’Neill, Chair of the SFA Awards Judging Panel.

The aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of small business in Ireland and to recognise the vital contribution of the small business sector to Irish industry.

Response

The strong response to the awards programme highlights the resilience of Irish small businesses, who continue to put their best foot forward in seeking recognition for their hard work, said Sue O’Neill.

‘In addition to our nine award categories, we’re also showcasing five outstanding Emerging New Businesses (established less than two years ago), and it’s clear that entrepreneurship is thriving across Ireland.

‘The Small Firms Association remains committed to celebrating the achievements of small business owners.

‘With 273,000 small businesses employing almost half of Ireland’s private sector workforce, these awards shine a spotlight on excellence, innovation, and success across every sector and region of the country,’ she added.

49 companies have been selected from 16 different counties,

across ten categories.

Retail category finalists (up to 50 employees) Sponsored by One4all Rewards

Dublin Herbalists, Co. Tipperary; Nutty Delights, Dublin; Rugs.ie, Cork; Jack Murphy Clothing, Co. Dublin; The Smooth Company, Co. Dublin and Nibbed, Co. Galway

Strategic

The Awards prize package for all finalists includes participation in a strategic management masterclass as well as the SFA Business Connect event at Killashee Hotel.

All benefit from broad-ranging national and local media coverage valued at €50,000.

Finalists also receive three complimentary tickets to the Gala Prize Winning Ceremony to take place in the RDS on March 26 2025 when category prize winners and the overall winner will be announced.

Membership

The Category winners will be presented with a trophy and free membership of the Small Firms Association for one year

NEWS

Chadwicks recently announced that over the past year (2024), it had created over ten new initiatives with the Irish Wheelchair Association, raising over €6,000 in the latest fundraising drive for the charity partner. Projects have included crucial IWA residential home and retail store upgrades, as well as community centre refurbishments.

Chadwicks partners with Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) on new initiatives and raises over €6,000 in latest fundraising drive

Chadwicks announced that it had created over ten new initiatives with charity partner, Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA).

As part of the initiatives, many Chadwicks branches nationwide supplied materials, garden furniture and gas boiler replacements to IWA residential homes, community centres and retail stores across Ireland, improving their functionality and accessibility for IWA tenants, visitors and customers.

The projects that Chadwicks supported the IWA on last year include:

• Sensory garden upgrades at IWA’s Athlone community centre: The team at Chadwicks Ballinasloe supplied materials to build a new room (‘seomra’) at the centre’s sensory garden.

The fully wheelchair accessible, purpose built ‘seomra’ enabled more people in the local community to take part in outdoor activities such as horticulture, regardless of weather conditions.

• Upgrades to IWA residential homes: Chadwicks Kilkenny supplied gas boiler replacements as part of upgrades to two IWA residential homes in the local area, and the team at Chadwicks Galway City also supplied painting and flooring materials and gas boiler replacements to four IWA residential homes in Ballybane.

All these homes needed crucial upgrades to maintain housing conditions for IWA tenants.

• IWA retail store upgrades: Several Chadwicks branches supplied painting and flooring materials to upgrade the IWA retail stores located in their communities.

The branches that supplied materials included Chadwicks Robinhood Road

in Dublin to the IWA store in Tallaght, Chadwicks Galway City to the IWA Tuam store, Chadwicks Midleton in Cork to the IWA Clonakilty and Skibbereen stores, Chadwicks Waterford to the IWA Dungarvan store, and Chadwicks Clonmel to the IWA Tipperary store.

• Community centre initiatives: Chadwicks Coolock in Dublin supplied materials and furniture to IWA’s Clontarf community centre, as part of a refurbishment the team were completing to the garden facilities.

The Coolock team also supported an IWA computer workshop, with materials provided by Chadwicks for the classes.

Supported

In addition to these initiatives, teams at all Chadwicks branches across the country supported IWA’s annual fundraising and through their donations, raised over €6,000 for the charity.

Celebrate

To celebrate these announcements, Irish Olympian and IWA-Sport Programme

Manager, Kelly McGrory, joined branch manager at Chadwicks Limerick, Brian Doherty and the team.

Commenting on the initiatives, Brian said: ‘Chadwicks Group has been a passionate supporter of Irish Wheelchair Association now for several years.

‘This year, we were delighted to continue working with the charity on new initiatives across Ireland and improve the accessibility of their facilities for IWA’s tenants, visitors and customers.

‘All our team feel honoured to be able to support these projects and make a di erence to so many families in communities nationwide’.

Delighted

Kelly McGrory, IWA-Sport Programme Manager, added: ‘I am delighted to be at Chadwicks Limerick to celebrate this occasion.

‘Irish Wheelchair Association’s ongoing support from Chadwicks, an organisation with such a strong national network of branches and colleagues, is invaluable to us in improving the functionality of our facilities.’

Bostik CEO Vincent Legros opens refurbished ARC offices in Ballynattin, Arklow

ARC Building Products was acquired by Arkema / Bostik in January 2024.

This acquisition strengthens Bostik’s position in Ireland’s growing construction adhesives market and aligns with Arkema’s commitment to expand its portfolio of sustainable building solutions.

Invest

A key element of the acquisition is to invest significantly in the Arklow site to increase local production of its solutions and to integrate the ARC business within Bostik.

Building on its strong position in Ireland for over 60 years, Bostik is poised to leverage significant industrial and commercial synergies with the integration of the ARC business, helping Bostik to address the growing demand for sustainable housing and renovation solutions in Ireland.

Ballynattin, Arklow marked a momentous day on Monday, 18 November 2024, as Vincent Legros, CEO of Bostik, officially opened the newly refurbished ARC offices and warehouse.

The ceremony was a significant milestone in the strategic integration of ARC.

First phase

This official opening is part of the first phase of the major integration project, with

Bostik investing €2m to transform the ARC site.

The refurbishment includes a stateof-the-art overhaul of the offices, R&D Laboratory, and warehouse.

From January 2025, all Bostik and ARC products will be warehoused and distributed from this upgraded facility, enhancing efficiency and ensuring streamlined operations.

Importance

Vincent Legros, in his opening remarks, emphasized the strategic importance of

‘The investment in the refurbishment of our offices, R&D Laboratory, and warehouse demonstrates our commitment to innovation, excellence, and growth, and is fully aligned with Bostik’s commitment to deliver consistently high-quality, sustainable products while fostering strong customer intimacy.’ – Vincent Legros, CEO of Bostik who officially opened the newly refurbished ARC offices and warehouse.

this integration.

‘Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bostik and ARC.

Cutting-edge

The newly refurbished facility is poised to become a centre of cutting-edge research and development.

The upgraded R&D Laboratory will play a pivotal role in fostering innovation, enabling Bostik to continue delivering highquality products to its customers.

The warehouse’s enhancement ensures a seamless supply chain, facilitating the efficient distribution of both Bostik and ARC products.

Phase 2 of the integration project is planned for completion by Q4 2025, with a further investment of €2m dedicated to the manufacturing facility.

This next phase underscores Bostik’s dedication to bolstering its manufacturing capabilities, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of industry advancements.

Vision and commitment

The refurbished ARC offices stand as a testament to Bostik’s vision and commitment to a prosperous future, marking a significant step forward in the company’s journey in Ireland.

This investment will ensure that both Bostik and ARC will remain leaders in Ireland’s rapidly growing construction sector, particularly in sustainable construction materials.

Leader

‘Arkema / Bostik aims to become a leader in Speciality Materials by offering our customers the most sustainable and innovative solutions to meet their needs’, Vincent Legros added.

Pictured l-r: Peter Morrissey; Commercial Director Bostik Ireland, Julien Latrille; Director Western Europe Construction & Consumer, Vincent Legros; Bostik CEO, Belgin Kose; Director Global Construction & Consumer Business Unit, Robert Massey; Managing Director Bostik UK & Ireland, Ciaran O Driscoll; Global Sealing & Bonding Director.

OB1® Multi-Surface Construction Sealant & Adhesive is going from strength to strength

OB1®Multi-Surface Construction

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‘Our OB1 Multi-Surface

Construction Sealant & Adhesive is a revolutionary hybrid polymer formulation for the ultimate bonding and sealing.’

Why is OB1® Multi-Surface

Construction Sealant & Adhesive so incredible?

‘Our formulation has been tried and tested by the trade for over 20 years and replaces mastics, wood and P.U adhesives, silicone, acrylic and butyl rubber sealants.

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‘This product really does do it all!

‘OB1® works well in damp conditions and can even be applied on wet surfaces or underwater and has an excellent resistance to saltwater.

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Never crack or shrink

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‘It is also extremely user friendly and over-paintable with water-based paints (test area required for oil-based paints).

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‘OB1® Multi-Surface Construction Sealant & Adhesive also conforms to the ISEGA

standard so it is the perfect solution for use in kitchens and food preparation areas and cold storage applications. OB1® MultiSurface Construction Sealant & Adhesive bonds and seals marble, granite and quartz worktops in kitchens and utility areas plus it’s guaranteed not to attack or stain surfaces.

Maintain

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Want to find out more about this amazing product? Visit the OB1® website. www.ob1original.com

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For interior and exterior use:

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In addition, OB1 Diamond boasts excellent UV stability. This means that it can withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight without yellowing.

OB1 Diamond can be used on a wide variety of common building materials and is perfect for both bonding and sealing applications. It is also extremely user-friendly and contains no solvents, tin or phthalates.

NEWS

Total construction activity rises for first time in eight months Business confidence highest in almost three years

The final month of 2024 saw a renewed expansion in Irish construction activity amid improving demand conditions, while business confidence picked up.

Increased

Employment also increased, but purchasing activity was scaled back as firms indicated that they had built up sufficient input stocks in previous months.

Meanwhile, the rate of input cost inflation quickened to a six-month high.

The headline seasonally adjusted BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction Total Activity Index moved back above the 50.0 no-change mark during December, rising to 51.6 from 47.5 in November.

The reading signalled a modest expansion in total activity that was the first for eight months.

Growth

The increase in total construction activity reflected growth in two of the three monitored categories.

Housing continued to lead the way, posting a fourth consecutive monthly

expansion.

The rate of growth was solid and sharper than that seen in November.

Commercial activity returned to growth for the first time in four months.

Meanwhile, civil engineering activity continued to fall, albeit to the least extent since last May.

Improving

Respondents to the survey indicated that an improving demand environment had been behind the increase in total activity, and this was also reflected in a further expansion of new orders during December.

New business increased for the ninth time in the past ten months, with the latest solid rise the most marked since July 2024.

Construction firms were also increasingly optimistic in the year ahead outlook for activity amid confidence that further new orders will be secured in the months ahead.

Sentiment strengthened to a 34-month high and was above the series average as 41% of respondents expressed an optimistic outlook.

Staff

Rising current workloads and preparation for projects in 2025 led construction firms to take on extra staff in December, the fourth month running in which this has been the case.

Moreover, the pace of job creation quickened to a nine-month high.

Purchasing activity was scaled back, however, thereby ending a nine-month sequence of expansion.

In some cases, panellists indicated that a sustained period of input buying meant that they had sufficient stocks and therefore could ease off on purchasing at the end of the year.

The rate of input cost inflation quickened to a six-month high in December and was stronger than the series average.

Lengthen

Meanwhile, suppliers’ delivery times continued to lengthen, extending the current sequence of deteriorating vendor performance to seven months.

Firms reported delays in supply chains, in some cases linked to port damage caused by Storm Darragh.

Finally, construction firms increased

John McCartney

their usage of sub-contractors at a solid pace that was the most marked since February 2023.

This contributed to a steeper decline in sub-contractor availability during the month.

Commenting

Commenting on the latest survey results, John McCartney, Director & Head of Research at BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland, said:

‘Taking the year as a whole, overall construction activity was broadly flat in 2024.

‘However there was considerable sectoral variation and, having expanded solidly throughout the year, residential activity strengthened further in Q4.

Upbeat

Looking ahead, the industry is upbeat about the prospects for 2025 with the forward-looking indicators of future expectations, new orders and hiring all pointing in a positive direction.’

Horticulture in focus with Carol Marks!

Carol Marks, sector manager for horticulture at Bord Bia, is a graduate of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Carol works across the whole of the horticulture supply chain and is also well-known for her involvement in many high-profile events and projects – including the hugely popular Home Grown TV programme. We were recently delighted to have her as our guest for ‘On The Record’.

H&H: Hi Carol. Welcome to On The Record. Can we begin by talking about your own background and career in horticulture? Did you always want to work in this area and what was it that attracted you to it?

CM: Having always had a love of plants and nature, ignited when I sowed my first packet of seeds at around age 6, I applied unsuccessfully for the then Apprenticeship in Horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens under the stewardship of Dublin City Council after my Inter Cert (Junior Cert Exam).

Following my Leaving Cert I worked in the Civil Service before going on to have my family and working in the private sector in

publishing and journalism.

A chance meeting with a mature student at the NBG Student Spring plant fair in circa 1997 highlighted to me that revisiting my dream was a possibility.

I was successful in gaining entry and in 1998 I returned to undertake a full-time three-year course in Amenity Horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens.

During that time, I began writing for The Irish Garden Magazine, and on graduating this continued along with working as a gardener in a four-acre private garden in South County Dublin for five years.

An opportunity arose to work for Bord Bia on a maternity leave contract, which I felt would open other doors, even if it was only for nine months.

On her return, my colleague moved within the organisation, and the position I was covering became vacant and following a successful interview process I was recruited into the full-time position of Development/Marketing Executive for amenity horticulture, leading to my current position of Sector Manager for Horticulture. During this time I have been privileged to work with most of the amazing people in the industry and have been involved in many exciting and rewarding projects, including the development of the new Horticulture curriculum, The Invasive

Species Project for Ireland, Industry Awards, Trade Shows, The Rare & Special Plant Fair, The International Garden Centre Congress 2014 which brought over 300 international garden centre and nursery owners to Ireland, Bloom and many more.

H&H: There have been many milestones in your career; which have been the most rewarding for you?

CM: There are many, but possibly seeing the fruits of almost two years of work to bring the first Bloom to the Phoenix Park. With just myself and my colleague initially working on the concept and logistics, then joined by a small team, to see the event up and running in 2007 was both nerve wracking and joyful.

To see how it has grown and developed over the years is testament to the hard work that so many colleagues put into it and to Bord Bia and the industry getting behind it and making it the success it is today.

H&H: It must be a source of immense pride to see how Bloom has grown! Can you tell us about the early days and your involvement from the start – how did it

ON THE RECORD

come about – what it was like getting it up and running?

CM: As I mentioned, a small team worked on Bloom2007, and we were privileged to have the cooperation of the OPW giving us access to the wonderful Visitor Centre site in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Back then, the show only covered a small fraction of the overall area it has grown to encompass, with the 30 show gardens built within the walls of the Walled Garden, which at that point had not been restored.

There was a small artisan food village situated outside the walled garden, some concept gardens dotted around the site, and the show was officially opened by President Mary McAleese, who honoured us to become Patron of Bloom, in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.

It was the largest event of its kind in Ireland and gave Irish garden designers and horticulturalists, along with our food producers an opportunity to show their skills and produce/plants, here at home to an Irish audience.

That first year we had forty thousand visitors over the five days of the June Bank Holiday weekend!

H&H: When we look at how it has grown – did you see it becoming the incredible success it surely is now?

CM: I don’t think we ever imagined in that first year that we would go on to have over 100,000 visitors that we have seen in more recent years, although it was always an ambition to grow the event.

It was interesting and very rewarding to see the visitor numbers grow year-onyear, as research had shown that many new events lose visitor numbers in the years following their launch before growing the visitor numbers, which is a trend that Bloom bucked with visitors increasing in year two, three and onward.

Again, it is a testament to the work that has been carried on over each successive year, reviewing, innovating, refreshing content and providing exciting and creative content for visitors to enjoy.

H&H: What projects have you been working on recently and would you like to share any details with readers? Tell us about the Home Grown TV programme!

CM: While Bord Bia Bloom and many of my other projects keep me busy all year round, there are two particular projects I am really

Pictures from Presidential visit to Bloom 2024.

proud of.

Working on the HOME GROWN TV programme has been a particular highlight over the last few years.

It has been a privilege to be able to showcase and highlight Irish horticulture and the respective horticulture sites and business featured across all its many facets and seeing the success of the seven-part first series, with both the industry and the viewing public was amazing.

Having a second series commissioned was a measure of the success of series one, and even more successful with over 2 million viewers tuning in to watch.

Filming for series three was completed in the final months of 2024 and will air in Spring 2025, giving horticulture the exposure it so deserves.

The other project is the Easy Steps to Dream Gardens consumer campaign, an initiative I developed in 2019 which formed the basis of our INTERACTIVE Bloom during Covid.

The concept saw the development of seven garden designs, by seven Bloom medal winning garden designers.

Easy Steps to Dream Gardens is an initiative designed to help you plant your own show garden at home.

Bord Bia has worked with seven Bloom award-winning show garden designers to create garden designs that are suited to a range of different locations.

Each garden design in the series comes with an easy-to-follow planting plan and detailed planting list that can be implemented in your garden according to your available time, space and budget.

The designers were asked to choose plants that were available from Irish nurseries and available to local retailers.

Garden Centres and garden retailers came on board and were invited to display point of sale highlighting the Easy Steps to Dream Gardens designs, signposting the plants available for each garden they had in stock.

In addition, all were invited to be listed on our interactive garden centre retail map on the Bord Bia website.

In total 103 garden centre retailers across all channels came on board, and we have continued promoting the campaign since then on social media and by building the various Dream Gardens at Bloom each year since the live event returned. https://www.bordbiabloom.com/dreamgardens/

H&H: When it comes to our readers, many are in the retail side of horticulture and amenity horticulture. We have seen many stores get into this business from being old fashioned ‘hardware’ and home stores. What advice would you give to people who do not come from a horticultural background and want to expand their offerings in this way – even if it’s in a smaller way? (Some may have limited space. Others may be larger stores with space for full ‘garden centres’. Is there room for all at varying levels?)

CM: Since I became involved in horticulture, and working across the industry in my role at Bord Bia, I have seen many businesses evolve to offer plants and garden accessories in addition to their traditional offer.

In my experience most of these, if not all, have taken the decision to engage staff with horticulture experience or a background in horticulture retail.

I think this has led to the success and growth of gardening as an offer to these businesses, and if they bring a new, fresh audience to gardening in a positive and creative way it’s a win-win for all.

H&H: What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities for the industry as we head into 2025?

CM: Across the board labour challenges are one of the biggest factors facing the industry.

Succession, an ageing workforce, with retirements and lack of new entrants into the sector pose a huge challenge, with many garden centres and gardening retailers competing with other service industries and the hospitality sector for staff.

However, with climate change so prominent in the public arena there has never been a better time for the industry to capitalise on ensuring that horticulture gets the recognition it deserves for the contribution trees and plants make to the environment and the positive impact gardening makes to our physical and mental health and well-being.

ON THE RECORD

In this comprehensive overview, Carol Marks considers changing trends and developments in this vibrant sector.

‘Our love of gardening continues to thrive’

Gardening and spend on gardening activities has evolved since we first started measuring the value of the gardening market in 2001.

Our outdoor spaces have evolved over the past twenty years.

From the conventional garden we now have balconies, community gardens, living walls, home offices, but our love of gardening continues to thrive.

Overall spend on gardening by Irish consumers has grown by 30% since the onset of the new century.

In 2023, we spent almost €1bn on our indoor and outdoor garden spaces.

Gardening activity linked to economic cycles…

The Celtic Tiger & Recession: The prosperity in the midnoughties spawned the ‘Decklanders’ – in 2007, we spent €78m on decking, compared with just €11m in 2011, and €26m in 2018.

Consumers splurged on big ticket items such as gravel and paving for patios and driveways, investing €108m in 2007, compared with €71m 10 years on.

New wealth drove us to seek instant and convenient solutions for our gardens.

Spend on hanging baskets and pre-planted containers rose from just €9m in 2001 to €29m in 2007.

Affordability and a movement towards planting from scratch, which emerged during the recession, led to spend on preplanted containers and hanging baskets falling to €24m in 2023.

Social media

In recent years we have seen how the influence of social media is leading to Insta Trends such as the arrival of the ‘Plant Parent’.

The appeal of indoor potted plants had waned in the early noughties with spend falling from €22m in 2001 to €18m in 2011.

More recently a more heightened awareness of the environment, sustainability and wellness and Instagram caught the imagination of millennials in particular.

The term ‘plant parent’ was coined to describe urbanites who cared for their plants in the way previous generations had cared for their offspring.

Approaches

‘Horti-futurism’ is a new buzzword for younger gardeners bringing digital and eco-conscious approaches to growing plants in whatever space is available.

Spend on indoor potted plants has doubled since 2016 alone – from €19m to €30m in 2023.

The trend toward more sustainable living has seen the

growing of your own herbs, fruit and vegetables become more mainstream.

Spend in 2001 on these products was only €10m. It increased in 2007 to €15m and in 2023 it was a whopping €26m.

The advent of the economic recession actually further boosted our behaviour (spend went up further to €16m in 2011), as price sensitivity as well as a growing awareness of climate change and sustainability became more front of mind.

We also saw a renewed interest in bulbs and flower seeds, in contrast with our penchant for pre-planted options during the Celtic tiger – spend on seeds and bulbs for planting increased from €18m in 2001 to €28m in 2023.

Integrating our outdoor and indoor spaces – the Covid impact

The ‘Homebody’ trend, driven by the arrival of Covid 19 into our lives, has brought our outdoor spaces increasingly more to be an extension of our homes.

Investment in landscaping service boomed during Covid, as our outdoor spaces became our sanctuary, our offices and our escape and as we re-evaluated our lives.

Spend on landscaping increased from €146m in 2018 to €225m in 2023, while spend on garden structures, whether for working, growing or storing, doubled during Covid 19, from €66m in 2018 to €119m in 2021.

Consumers also invested in garden maintenance, by doubling their spend on gardening tools and equipment, rising from €39m in 2018 to €84m in 2021.

Omnichannel approach to shopping – how retailing has changed

In 2001, discounters did not exist in Ireland; they now account for 7% of the Gardening Market consumer spend, and 18% of purchasing occasions.

The independent garden centre is still the ‘go to’ place for buying plants, with 45% share of spend on outdoor plants and flowers.

The addition of online purchasing of gardening items as a channel for consumers came into its own during Covid 19. 7% of spend on bulbs and flower seeds since Covid 19 is still online, 5% of spend on herbs/fruit and vegetables for planting, and 12% of trees, while 13% of ornamental garden products, such as furniture and accessories were purchased online in 2023.

During Covid 19 many garden centres who may not have had an online purchase option pivoted to this channel, in addition to the online shopping options already available to consumers, bringing 24-hour garden shopping accessibility to consumers.

Online is here to stay!

You can find out more – including Bord Bia’s reports on the garden market at www.bordbia.ie

HOMEFRONT

Celebrating the joys of life!

After 225 years in business, the German gia winner – F.S. Kustermann, a family business in the 7th generation – is an exemplary example of a retail store that has evolved with its customers, always celebrating the joys of life and the home. Michelle Hespe reports.

In 1798 in Munich, employees of F.S. Kustermann were wearing decidedly different clothing to those working there today.

Back then, Kustermann was a foundry and the staff battled the intense heat from open fires in protective coveralls as they melted metal and cast metal objects. It was a year before Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power in France, and eight years before Munich became the Kingdom of Bavaria.

Back then, F.S. Kustermann was

producing much-needed products for a city undergoing rapid industrialization.

Beginnings

Today the foundry is no more, however there is still a small hardware store to be found within the modern Kustermann store – a nod to its humble and very different beginnings.

Surrounding it are more than 70,000 products arranged across 5,000 square meters of department store, spread across three sweeping floors.

In 2023, F.S Kustermann celebrated its 225th year in business and was chosen as the national winner in Germany for the Global Innovation Awards (gia) run by the International Housewares Association.

In its 226th year, this remarkable department store that has seen more than two centuries of growth and innovation, became one of five Global Honorees at the gia gala dinner in Chicago, cementing its place as one of the top home and housewares retailers in the world.

HOMEFRONT

Propel

‘This award propels us into the future with renewed vigor,’ says Kustermann’s Managing Director André Garcia.

‘It also validates our blend of tradition and innovation, and it’s an encouragement to continue evolving without losing sight of our core values: tradition, delight and joie de vivre

‘It’s a significant moment that strengthens our position as a leader in the industry.’

The company’s tagline is Munich’s recipe for joy of life and it operates according to the principles of the Golden Circle by author, presenter and TEDx speaker Simon Sinek, who famously said:

‘People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it, and what you do simply proves what you believe.’

Love of the home

‘Our action revolves around the “why” – we do it for the love of the home, which we believe is society’s heart,’ says André.

‘This belief drives us and our staff to deliver our best, ensuring we provide products and services that enhance our guests’ lives at home.’

André and his staff felt that the gia application process was a reflective journey in itself.

‘It allowed us to evaluate our business through a magnifying glass,’ he says.

‘It reinforced the importance of our mission to make life at home beautiful and easy, ensuring that we offer long-lasting products for our guests.’

Awe-inspiring

Although Kustermann’s impressive history

and the awe-inspiring building could be laurels easily rested upon, André explains that the store’s heritage is a cornerstone of its identity, but not only one part of its approach.

‘Word of mouth remains a powerful tool for us, thanks to our deeply rooted history in and around Munich, and our commitment to quality is also paramount,’ he says.

‘However, our marketing efforts have also played a significant role in broadening our reach, inviting new Munich citizens and tourists to experience what Kustermann stands for.’

The gia jury agreed: ‘Kustermann is an old family store, however even with over 200 years of history, it remains relevant, always modernizing its approach with updates and changes.’

HOMEFRONT

The Kustermann customer experience

From the first sight of the commanding store lining a busy Munich street, Kustermann sets the scene for the sophistication and grand proportions to follow.

Imposing stone walls house four magnificent two-storey high arched windows with beautifully themed window displays in each, surrounded by elaborate stone pillars and shaded by racing green awnings much like those on London’s Harrods.

It’s a place where it is immediately obvious that tradition, heritage, innovation and the modern world flow seamlessly together.

‘Guests feel a sense of tradition, delight and joie de vivre both when they step into our store, and when they leave,’ says André, who worked for many years in the hotel industry and prefers to call customers his guests.

‘We want them to feel inspired and appreciated, knowing they’ve found something truly special, or something that they truly want.’

Magical

André says that there are too many magical moments and experiences that have been created over the many decades at Kustermann’s to list, which all demonstrate the team’s commitment to personalization and attention to detail, but some do stand out.

‘Once, one of our sta facilitated a shelter for more than a hundred guests to stay overnight in the store during a terror attack in Munich,’ he says. ‘They were true heroes.’

Another memorable story was about a special guest looking for a specific porcelain for a family tradition.

‘Our team went above and beyond to find it for him, showcasing our dedication to making our guests’ experiences personal and heartfelt,’ he says.

‘That guest was Freddie Mercury.’

Dedication

The gia jury saw this as one of the reasons that Kustermann continues to succeed.

‘There is a great dedication to sta training and well-being at Kustermann,’ they noted.

‘As the result, the sta of the store are very knowledgeable and passionate, and they’ve stayed with the company for a long time, establishing personal relations with customers.’

Looking ahead while honouring the past

André and his team see the future of retail as an integrated experience, blending the personal touch with digital innovation, sustainability and community engagement.

‘Kustermann is a space where tradition and innovation coexist harmoniously,’ he says, while also noting that the pandemic underscored the importance of adaptability and the power of traditional, personal connection.

‘The pandemic influenced a more thoughtful approach to shopping, emphasizing quality and significance, guiding us to refine how we meet our customers’ evolving needs as special in the digital world.

‘Our use of social media and marketing has enabled us to connect with our audience in dynamic ways, sharing our story and values, which has significantly enhanced our community engagement and customer loyalty.’

Impressive

An impressive example of this is a drone video that was created in first person – as though someone was moving through the entire shop, soaring peacefully through the building.

Watching the video is like flying through a warm world of endless delights – homewares lit up on stages and covering walls, grand staircases and beautifully lit aisles inviting guests to new places.

Despite this embracing of new technology and using it for marketing, the team will never stray too far from Kustermann’s roots.

Balance

‘While automation and AI have streamlined operations and enhanced customer service, we maintain a balance, ensuring technology enhances rather than replaces the personal, human touch that is synonymous with Kustermann,’ André says.

To learn more about Kustermann, visit www.kustermann.de.

Sponsored and organized by The Inspired Home Show and the International Housewares Association (IHA), gia (IHA Global Innovation Awards) is the world’s leading awards program honouring overall excellence, business innovation and creative merchandising in homegoods retailing. For more information about the gia retail program, the co-sponsors or participating, contact Piritta Törrö at piritta. torro@inspiredconnection.fi. Additional information on gia is also available online at TheInspiredHomeShow.com/Awards/giaRetailing.

IHA announced Global Honorees for gia Top Window Awards

The Inspired Home Show® and the International Housewares Association (IHA), the global sponsors and organizers of the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) program, announced the Global Honorees for the gia Top Window Awards.

Those latest Global Honorees are: Small Company Category

• Milly’s, New Zealand

• Bazaar - La Barra, Uruguay

Large Company Category

• Loeb AG, Switzerland

• Harrods, United Kingdom

For more than 20 years, IHA is very proud

to have honoured the very best in home + housewares retailing through the gia Awards – 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the gia Global Innovation Awards.

Encouraging

‘The most recent gia Top Window Awards competition had entries from 15 countries, and it is incredibly encouraging to see the creativity and passion that retailers are placing into their window displays,’ said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO.

‘We look forward to hosting the four gia Top Window Award winners at The Inspired Home Show in Chicago, along with more than 30 additional retailers who have won other gia country-level competitions.’

The gia Top Window Award is a special award program under the gia umbrella.

As with the general gia Retail Awards, the

Top Window competition is structured on a two-tier level, national and global.

Co-sponsoring the country-specific gia Top Window programs with IHA are housewares trade publications worldwide.

Evaluation

The global jury, consisting of the four gia Expert Jururs – Anne Kong, Scott Kohno, Henrik Peter Reisby Nielsen and Wolfgang Gruschwitz – evaluated home and housewares windows from around the world based on:

• Originality and Creativity (theme, concept, special effects)

• Merchandise Presentation

• Professionalism: Execution and Technical Aspects (lighting, attention to detail, signage, copy)

HOMEFRONT

Pet products pavilion added to The Inspired Home Show 2025

Pet product suppliers looking to expand their retail customer base have a new resource with The Inspired Home Show.

Pavilion

The 2025 Show, which is fast-approaching, will feature a Pet Products Pavilion.

The Inspired Home Show 2025 will be held March 2-4 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex. The Show, which will be the 125th Show held since 1939, will feature thousands of home and housewares brands in five expos throughout the North and South buildings.

‘Gift and specialty retailers specifically are looking for trade events that offer a wide assortment of brands and products, and pet product suppliers are looking for access to those buyers – both can be found at The Inspired Home Show,’ said Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO.

‘GMMs, DMMs, buyers and distributors from more than 125 countries attend the Show each year, making it one of the leading trade shows in the world.’

Innovative

The Pet Products Pavilion will be located in the South building near other destinations

‘Gift and specialty retailers specifically are looking for trade events that offer a wide assortment of brands and products, and pet product suppliers are looking for access to those buyers.’

– Derek Miller, IHA president & CEO.

created for gift & specialty retailers to find new and innovative products.

Exhibiting at The Inspired Home Show will provide pet product suppliers with unparalleled access to quality buyers, Miller said.

The International Housewares Association is the 86-year-old voice of the housewares industry. The not-for-profit, full-service association sponsors the world’s premier exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market (TheInspiredHomeShow.com) which celebrates its 125th Show in 2025, and offers its member companies a wide range of services.

& CEO

Based on data from 2024 Show buyer registrations, 92% of verified retail attendees have purchasing power, and 92% of verified retailers are buyers or executives.

Participation

With so much buying power walking the Show, 83% of 2024 Show exhibitors said they expected to receive new business as a result of their participation.

Derek Miller, IHA president

As we entered 2025 we were delighted to announce that our gia store for this year would be the Aboretum at Kilquade in County Wicklow.

Upgraded Aboretum Kilquade is our gia store!

Our gia store for 2025 is Wicklow-based Aboretum, Kilquade. The latest iteration of the Arboretum offering is a complete refurbishment and reimagining of the original garden centre and lifestyle destination store and it was completed early last summer amid rave reviews from across the industry.

Taoiseach Simon Harris officially opened the €4.5m redeveloped outlet and Hardware & Homestyle was in attendance, naturally. The state-of-the-art 2,400m² garden centre would create twenty-five new jobs, in addition to the existing twenty-five employees, we reported, giving a total team of 200 people across the business.

Two others

Arboretum – which is a family-owned

business – operates two other garden and lifestyle centres, the flagship store in Leighlinbridge, Carlow and Urban Green, Parnell Street, Dublin.

The investment in Wicklow transformed the garden and retail centre into a thoroughly modern, comfortable shopping and meeting space completely covered by a glass roof.

The facility features indoor and outdoor plants and gardening equipment as well as health and wellness, fashion and food offerings and ‘Rachel’s Secret Garden’ café.

The Doyle family invested heavily in sustainable technology – with a rainwater harvesting system to water plants and solar panel generated electricity for heat and light – future proofing the facility.

Delighted

Simon Harris, said at the opening: ‘It’s great to see a family business go from strength to strength and it’s great to see new jobs being created.

‘The Arboretum is a special site in Wicklow and a really special place for family and friends to meet.

‘It’s also so important that children have access to as much information as possible on the natural world and the ethos of the Arboretum has always been right on point in this regard.’

‘The Doyle family invested heavily in sustainable technology.’

Honoured Fergal

Doyle, Arboretum co-owner and Chief Commercial Operator said: ‘Our investment here is a vote of confidence in our valued local community, our dedicated team and our loyal customers.

‘We are thrilled to share this state-ofthe-art facility with them and look forward to welcoming twenty-five additional staff members.

‘Our investment also reflects people’s growing passion for gardening, be it herbs on a windowsill or on a larger scale.

ABORETUM

About Arboretum

Arboretum is an award-winning garden centre and lifestyle retailer. The family business, founded in rural County Carlow in 1977 by horticulturist Rachel Doyle and her husband Frank Doyle, is today a €14m turnover enterprise employing 200+ people in three locations; the flagship store in Leighlinbridge, Carlow; Arboretum Kilquade, County Wicklow and Arboretum Urban Green, a version of the brand’s offering aimed at city centre gardeners, opened in May 2023 on the first floor of Chapter’s bookshop on Parnell Street, Dublin.

High quality

Thousands of customers all over the country are familiar with Arboretum’s high-quality offering thanks to the development of the online shop at www.arboretum.ie.

Arboretum creates destination garden and lifestyle centres characterised by a wide range of plants including specimen plants and trees, gardening tools, seeds, bulbs, treatments, garden furniture and Weber barbecues.

Each one has a high-quality in-house restaurant.

The business has invested heavily in e-commerce in recent years and the Arboretum experience is now available to customers anywhere in the Republic of Ireland via www.arboretum.ie

Owners

Barry Doyle is the co-owner and CEO and Fergal Doyle is co-owner and CCO. Directors include Rachel Doyle, and nonexecutive directors Kevin Neary and Jim Power. Rachel Doyle is Chief Executive Chair.

ABORETUM

‘Our expanding customer base appreciates how gardening adds positively to biodiversity and sustainability, as well as their own physical and mental health.’

Key goal

‘A key goal of our investment is future-proofing the facility with sustainable technology for generations to come.

‘Resource e iciency makes sense on a commercial level but it’s also part of the Arboretum ethos; we’re conscious of our responsibility to “put our money where our mouth is” by investing in green technology,’ continued Fergal.

Barry Doyle, Arboretum co-owner and CEO, said, ‘This redevelopment allows us to o er a completely immersive gardening experience to our customers and visitors.

‘As well as an extensive range of outdoor plants, shrubs and trees, our new expansive glass roofed facility will stock a wide array of indoor plants with 85% of our stock coming from Irish growers.

‘It also enables us to retail the full extent of our health and wellness, fashion and lifestyle o ering.

‘But we o er more than a retail experience at Arboretum Kilquade; it’s a meeting point, somewhere to socialise with family and friends while enjoying the exhibition gardens or some lunch in Rachel’s Secret Garden café.’

Gardens

Arboretum Kilquade also incorporates the 17 individually designed gardens of the National Garden Exhibition Centre, spanning six acres in total, freely accessible for visitors to walk through and enjoy.

Arboretum worked with a number of partners on the store redevelopment including international garden centre specialist Rabensteiner, building contractor Cascade Group, mechanical and electrical engineering consultancy Penston MEP and commercial energy e iciency delivery partners Vivid Edge.

Inspired Home Show

Representatives from Arboretum are invited to The Inspired Home Show 2025 in Chicago and will be honoured at an awards dinner on Sunday, March 2, together with the other gia stores of 2024-2025 from around the world.

gia takes place alongside The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s global home + housewares marketplace, which will be held SundayTuesday, March 2-4 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Complex.

Retail Excellence

‘Drive and ambition of retailers ensures we can look forward to 2025 with renewed optimism’

Top names from our sector shine at national awards ceremony!

Retail Excellence Ireland, the largest representative body for the retail industry in Ireland, announced the winners of each of the 21 categories at the AIB Merchant Services Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2024.

Attended

Over 500 executives from the retail industry attended the ceremony at the Galmont Hotel in Galway.

Windyridge Garden Centre won the inaugural Independent Store of the Year Award.

The judges were impressed by the excellent visual merchandising and creative flair in transforming a store into an immersive retail experience.

Important

Ecommerce continues to play an important part in every retailer’s journey to attract

new customers and showcase your o ering to the world.

Cogs Toys & Games was named as Small Online Retailer of the Year, Chupi was named Medium Online Retailer of the Year, while EZ Living Interiors was named as Large Online Retailer of the Year. McCabes Pharmacy won Ecommerce Team of the Year

Speaking following the announcement, Jean McCabe, CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland, said: ‘I am delighted to announce the winners of the AIB Merchant Services Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2024.

‘The judging panel has been so impressed by the high standard of retailers across the country and it was extraordinarily di icult to whittle our shortlists down to the eventual winners.

‘Our awards night is a marquee event in the Irish retail calendar, and we are proud to honour the best and brightest in the industry once again this year.

‘Of course, we are experiencing a tsunami of increased business costs at present, but the drive and ambition of retailers across Ireland ensure we can look forward to 2025 with renewed optimism.’

Delighted

Hubert O’Donoghue, General Manager, AIB Merchant Services, said: ‘AIB Merchant Services is delighted to sponsor the 2024 Retail Excellence Ireland Awards, marking our ninth year celebrating the exceptional achievements of Ireland’s retail community.

‘Our partnership with REI underscores our commitment to empowering retail businesses nationwide.

‘With over 50 years of dedication to retailers, AIB Merchant Services proudly delivers reliable, secure payment and acquiring solutions to thousands of customers every day.

‘We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the finalists and winners of this year’s awards, who continuously strive to deliver exceptional customer experiences.’

Biggest

Established by Retail Excellence Ireland in 1997, the Awards is the biggest event in the Irish retail industry calendar and aims to promote best practice and encourage high standards in the Irish retail industry.

Diamond Furniture, National Retailer of the Year Winner

Retail Excellence

Spring Fair 75th anniversary edition!

Spring Fair annually hosts over 1,200 exhibitors, showcasing over a million new products across 12 unmissable buying destinations dedicated to Home, Gift, Fashion and Everyday.

The 2025 edition promises to be one of the most highly anticipated in the event’s history, featuring industry-leading brands alongside hundreds of newcomers, and heaps of exciting new theatres and activations to contribute to the celebrations of the 75th anniversary.

The burgeoning Gift destination, which is expanding into Hall 5 to meet increasing demand, remains one of the most soughtafter categories.

Brands were securing their spots early to take advantage of the buzz surrounding this historic event.

‘Brands were securing their spots early to take advantage of the buzz.’

Comprehensive

With nearly 700 gift exhibitors and over 15,000 visitors interested in gift items, Spring Fair is the largest and most comprehensive gift marketplace in the UK.

Covering all the bases, the Gift destination has huge appeal for all buyers interested in diversifying their offer and developing their product ranges.

To meet the growing trend for experience retailing, more and more businesses are now buying gifting products.

Gone are the years when a florist only sells flowers. Everything from tattoo parlours, hairdressers and barber shops are now stocking products which sit within the Gift destination.

Incredible

Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director of Spring Fair says:

‘We’re bursting at the seams – it’s been incredible to feel and see the momentum

SHOWTIME

build for Spring Fair 2025.

‘The desire for brands to take part in this milestone event is palpable. And it’s not just the Gift destination seeing extraordinary growth.

‘The Summerhouse has expanded by 30% - with many brands increasing their stand sizes to showcase bigger collections.

‘In Moda, we’ve seen a surge in Fashion Accessories and Jewellery brands. There are so many reasons to be part of Spring Fair’s 75th edition.’

About Spring Fair

Spring Fair is the UK’s leading retail event attracting 38,000 buyers with a combined budget of £2.25bn. It hosts the largest, highest-spend assembly of retailers in the country and is the ultimate destination for buyers.

This year, 2025 will celebrate 75 years of rich heritage.

Laois company tops all-island awards for builders’ merchants

Other awards go to builders’ merchants in Belfast, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Meath and Wexford

Telfords Portlaoise Ltd. was the winner of the overall Octabuild Award for Excellence at the 2024 all-island Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards.

Leinster

The company also won the Leinster Regional Award. Other winners came from Belfast, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Meath and Wexford.

The Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards ceremony was held at a gala event in the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin. It was attended by over 250 guests including shortlisted merchants and representatives of the builders’ merchant trade from across the country.

Hosted

The event was hosted by the eight Octabuild members, Dulux, Etex, Glennon Brothers, Grant Engineering, Gyproc, Irish Cement, Kingspan

In addition to the two awards won by Telfords Portlaoise Ltd, other winners were:

Connacht/Donegal/Monaghan/Cavan Regional Award: Joyce’s Hardware & Home, Galway Munster Regional Award: Cork Builders Providers, Togher, Cork Northern Ireland Regional Award: JP Corry Springfield Road, Antrim Excellence in Business Management Award: Cork Builders Providers, Togher, Cork Excellence in Customer Service Award: Rooneys Home & Hardware, Meath Excellence in Sales & Marketing Award: Wallace’s Homevalue, Wexford Excellence in Sustainable Business Award: Chadwicks Robinhood Road, Dublin Excellence in Community Outreach: Inishowen Co-Op, Donegal

Rising Star Award: Luke Martin – JP Corry Dromore, Down

Insulation and Wavin.

Guest of honour at the awards was Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign A airs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, TD.

The Tánaiste said: ‘I would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners at this year’s awards, particularly Telfords Portlaoise Ltd who won the overall Octabuild Award for Excellence 2024.

‘These awards recognise the vital role of the builders’ merchants industry to the wider construction sector.

‘I want to commend the organisers and Octabuild Chairperson, Declan Conlon for such a great event.’

Last year builders’ merchants competed for five Individual Category Awards, four Regional Awards and a Rising Star Award, which acknowledged up-and-coming talent in the industry.

Important

Octabuild Chairperson, Declan Conlon said: ‘It’s important for Octabuild that the Awards highlight the excellence of Irish builders merchants to the building and construction industry amidst its ever-changing landscape.

Ian Haldane with Tánaiste

‘Congratulations to all finalists and winners from all over the country who represented absolute excellence in the industry.’

Commenting on the quality of the entries, the judges said: ‘It is evident that the industry is evolving at a rapid pace with merchants across the country leading the way in the continuously changing landscape.

‘The competition is fierce as merchants have embraced the opportunities in sta training, stock portfolio, premises, customer service, promotion, ecommerce and sustainability to develop their businesses.’

Presented

In total eleven awards were presented at the awards ceremony as well as the Octabuild Lifetime achievement Award, which was presented to Ian Haldane, CEO of leading independent supplier to the construction industry, Haldane Fisher.

OCTABUILD

Telfords overview

Telfords Portlaoise Ltd. has been in business for 34 years, employs 77 sta and previously won the Octabuild Award for Excellence in 2019.

Telford’s impressed the judges as a well-rounded, one-stop-shop for hardware, building materials, and electronics.

Team

Led by Liam McEvoy and supported by a strong management team, they’ve implemented e icient systems such as enhanced return policies, SEO strategies, and daily inventory checks.

Safety improvements include smoke detectors, defibrillators, and airconditioning. Significant upgrades to key departments have improved customer experience.

Their environmental initiatives, such as EV charging points and a bottle deposit return scheme benefiting local charities, along with their support for community activities, made Telford’s a standout, deserving of the award.

‘The competition is erce

Liam McEvoy with Declan Conlon and Patrick Atkinson

JP Corry Dromore, Luke Martin

Telfords Team Octabuild Award

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Following completion of its Phase 1 investment of €13m, Cork-based Pipelife announces next phase of its ongoing €35m Investment – as it launches a multimillion euro training, innovation & development programme to fuel growth

Pipelife has announced the launch of an ambitious 3-year training, innovation & development programme to support the future growth of the business.

‘This is a €4m programme which represents the largest investment in people in the history of our business.

‘Our industry, like others, is changing. We knew we needed to evolve to stay ahead; to continue to be competitive, and to attract and retain the vital skills we need to continue to grow our business.

‘This is all about investing in our people, and is going to be transformational for Pipelife,’ said Gerard Healy, managing

director of Pipelife Ireland, based in Little Island.

Largest investment

The training, innovation & development programme, which marks the largest investment in people in Pipelife’s history, is supported by the Irish government, through IDA Ireland.

Commenting, at the time of the announcement, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD, said:

‘Congratulations to Pipelife as they launch their multimillion-euro training,

innovation & development programme.

‘Training and development of staff is one of the best investments a company can make.

‘This phase of development demonstrates Pipelife’s commitment to Ireland and their employees, while also underscoring both the Irish Government and IDA Ireland’s priority for regional investment.’

Officially launch

Then Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin TD said: ‘I am delighted to officially launch Pipelife’s

training, innovation & development programme.

The Government is committed to investing in vital infrastructure and skills to ensure our economy continues to grow, and similarly this €4m programme demonstrates Pipelife’s commitment to not only strengthening and future-proofing its own business, but also contributing to the broader growth of Ireland’s manufacturing and sustainability sectors.

‘Initiatives like this are vital in ensuring our workforce is equipped for the future, and I commend Pipelife for its forwardthinking approach.

‘I look forward to seeing the positive impact this training, innovation & development programme, as well as the newly-opened Eco Renewables Training Academy, will have.’

Supportive

Pipelife Ireland managing director, Gerard Healy, continued: ‘IDA Ireland was hugely supportive of our plans from Day 1.

‘We see this as a massive sign of confidence in what we do, how we do it, and our ambitions for the future.

‘Similarly, our corporate parent, Wienerberger Group, is very excited about what we have planned in terms of this transformational upskilling of our people over the next 3 years.’

Partnered

Pipelife partnered with 3SIXTY, the Corkbased management consultancy, to design and deliver a site-wide, multi-year training, innovation & development programme.

Gerard Healy explains: ‘We knew we needed to do this but finding the time to do it was always the challenge.

‘3SIXTY did all of the heavy lifting in terms of building the training, innovation & development programme.

‘We would not have done this if it wasn’t for 3SIXTY’s involvement.’

Site-wide

‘Pipelife asked us to help design and deliver a site-wide training, innovation & development programme that would serve as a driver of growth for the business over the coming years,’ said 3SIXTY managing partner, Brian Cremin.

‘It was a huge thrill to kick off the delivery of the programme. There is a great buzz across the business at seeing the programme now being rolled out.

‘It’s a pleasure to be involved with Pipelife on this transformational initiative.’

Range of initiatives

The programme includes a range of initiatives specifically tailored around Pipelife’s skills requirements.

The programme will see Pipelife

employees undertake training on a range of areas over the next 3 years, including digitalisation, leadership development, sustainability, innovation, operational excellence, and advanced manufacturing techniques.

Pipelife has also completed its new state-of-the-art on-site eco renewables training academy.

This will allow both trainee and fully-qualified plumbers, and other tradespeople, architects and specifiers to learn about the latest sustainability advancements in renewables in the sector, in a structured learning environment.

This cutting-edge development will see Pipelife developing deeper relationships across industry, and Education & Training Boards in what is a hugely exciting step for the company.

Delighted

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland said: ‘IDA Ireland is delighted to support Pipelife’s ambitious programme.

‘This initiative showcases Pipelife’s commitment to advancing their workforce and integrating cutting-edge technologies.

‘Investments like these are essential for keeping Ireland at the forefront of the manufacturing industry and promoting a culture of ongoing improvement and innovation. I wish them continued success.’

Spring Awakening

Losing a month but gaining more sales

As we look forward to another year in the garden – and garden retail in general, Liam Kelly has some unique observations as always – along with timely advice and pointers, aimed at keeping the customer happy and the tills ringing!

Back in the not-too-distant past, St. Patrick’s Day was always seen as the natural start of the gardening year in Ireland.

Planted

This was the time when seed potatoes should be sown and onion sets and other veg planted.

It was when those with windowsillgrown tomatoes – and who were brave enough to risk the late frosts – might begin to harden them o in a tunnel or greenhouse with a view to giving them a permanent home in early April.

This was also the time of year when those who enjoyed the more ornamental side of gardening would begin to brave the elements and start the maintenance regime that was required to get their green spaces into shape by literally doing a Spring clean of the beds, pots and patios, as well as giving the lawn its much needed first cut.

Hardy annuals and tender bulbs could be planted out, and thoughts turned to planning for summer colour – and there was at least the promise of longer, warmer days to come.

Newer

And although this is still true for many, there has certainly been a move away from this seasonal clock-watching start to the year by newer breeds of gardeners who are perhaps more influenced by social media and the actual availability of product than by a long-dead saint’s commemorative day.

We also appear to have lost a certain amount of knowledge on gardening in general for many reasons, as that knowledge has skipped a whole generation – as did DIY skills – to the point where it wasn’t handed down from one generation to another and instead is now being learned (if at all) from mostly internet-based sources.

This is hardly an issue, as it is just an evolution in how we gain information nowadays and is no di erent from how in the past knowledge was gained from books, then magazines, and then television.

But it can lead to a more globalist attitude to gardening, where local climate, conditions and available products can be lost in translation, communication, and the variance between whole hemispheres, and means that some of the information that is learned from these sources isn’t relevant to the locale of the viewer.

‘There is another factor that has pulled the season back a month, and that is the creation of another bank holiday in February – St. Brigid’s Day.’

Availability

This can often be seen first-hand in garden centres where customers are annoyed, confused and irritated regarding the availability of plants or products that are completely unsuitable or not to be sourced at all in this country, especially at certain times of the year.

I doubt many garden retailers haven’t experienced irate individuals demanding obscure plants and products that are completely alien to this country, or unavailable at that time of year.

So there is something certainly to be said about the need for a seasonal timeline or marker for the gardening year in a particular country or location, even if we have seen over recent decades that there is both a perceived and very real change to our weather and climatic conditions that means that year-on-year the seasons can certainly blur together to a degree – or even by actual degrees.

For garden centres and other gardening

retailers this has meant that the mid-March date that we all took as being the starting point of the retail side of the sector has also changed over the last few decades and this has meant that there is no longer the slow start and sudden swell in activity in most business in mid-March, especially as there is another factor that has pulled the season back a month, and that is the creation of another bank holiday in February – St. Brigid’s Day.

Adjustment

This has meant a complete adjustment by most retail sectors in general, given that these kinds of weekends are generally peaks in sales for shops, but particularly so for those who sell gardening products as they now have an extra bump in early Spring to promote, plus a new deadline perhaps for having their layout, merchandising and stock in place for the new season.

Of course, having said all that, for many of the older generation of gardeners, and a sizeable chunk of the more knowledgeable younger generation, there is still something about St. Patrick’s Day being the start of the season, but the new bank holiday weekend is being seen as the prequel to the ‘real’ start to the gardening season.

Even if the cannier gardeners don’t use this new date as a measure of the weather being good enough to plant out their crops, they still see it as the time they start to venture into the garden centres.

And that is something that is doubly true of the more casual gardeners, as many

A boon

This is certainly a boon for the retail gardening sector and it has meant that these businesses have had to change their own calendars as a reaction to what needs to be achieved in store by early February, where they have lost a month in one way but hopefully gained a lot more in revenue.

This has meant that over the past couple of years retailers have had to plan for this new, earlier start to the season having first noticed the interest and change in habit a er the first year of our new bank holiday so that now most retailers aim to have most of the new season’s stock on the floor much earlier than previously and have pulled forward delivery schedules from their suppliers in order to achieve this.

Of course, it is still certainly a business sector that has huge roller coaster-like sales periods dependent on the general time of year and the weather, so nothing is certain,

but the importance of this new retail period means that by now any serious garden centre has their stall set out and is ready for those newly awoken customers – or at least they should have!

Promoted

This whole new month of sales and interest is something that can be promoted and capitalized on in order to get a double peak at this time of year from both bank holidays, and it is equally important to not just assume that the public will react to it.

It is certainly something that can be promoted and advertised as a spring awakening and as Ibolc – to give it its other title – is a Spring festival, there is no reason for it not to be seen as a time of awakening for gardening, and as a way of creating a new Spring retail festival too – even if that does seem a little mercenary.

I certainly hope your blessed sales are improving at this time … Liam

About Liam

Since establishing Retail Services & Solutions in 2007, Liam has become one of the most e ective people within the retail side of Irish horticulture.

His knowledge of the mindset and ethos of those in this sector, combined with his problem-solving ability, experience and hands-on work ethic make him uniquely placed to o er advice and help to those who need it.

Key to his success is his knowledge of purchasing, pricing and sales combined with his understanding of layout, signage and merchandising, and how the interaction of these can lead to increased sales and profits.

086 8221494 - retailsands@gmail. com

have a little more time o and can see spring bulbs and buds starting to appear which stirs their interest in the garden.

Product News

Irish forklift manufacturer Combilift in focus!

Handling DIY and building materials of various shapes, sizes and weights such as pipes, timber, and palletised goods can pose several challenges for traditional forklifts.

Thrive

Choosing the right equipment for each specific task will enable companies to thrive by optimising their storage facilities for better capacity, allowing quick loading and offloading for faster turnaround whilst ensuring safe operation across their facilities.

With over 26 years of experience in the material handling industry, Irish forklift manufacturer Combilift offers an all-inone product range that eliminates the need for multiple machines to complete a single task, resulting in reduced fleet size, increased productivity, and the elimination of time-consuming double handling.

Designed

Multidirectional forklift models, such as those in the C-Series and CB range, are designed to travel sideways while handling long and bulky loads, such as timber panels or pipes.

The sideways function eliminates the need for overhead carrying while navigating narrow aisles and tight spaces, significantly reducing the risk of injury and collisions.

This allows for much better and costeffective use of all available space, and results in an all-round safer working environment.

An additional safety feature is that these forklifts are built with a very low centre of gravity, allowing for a low-to-the-ground movement of the load.

The C-Series boasts an integrated platform, providing a stable base for resting your load during transportation whereas the innovative CombiCB’s compact size and excellent manoeuvrability means it is also perfect for transporting palletised loads.

Ideal

Whether you need to safely handle pallets or long loads, Combilift’s pedestrian stacker range is also an ideal choice for busy building supply and DIY stores.

The pedestrian range is equipped with

the patented and award-winning multiposition tiller arm, which ensures maximum safety for both the operator and nearby pedestrians.

This innovative feature allows the operator to remain in the safest position while working in narrow aisles – at the side of the truck rather than at the rear, as with other pedestrian stackers.

This, in turn, reduces the risk of the operator becoming trapped between the truck and the racking and ensures full

visibility of the load and the surrounding area.

Contact

Contact Combilift today to learn how its extensive range of products can help your business maximise the use of your current space while improving operational efficiency and safety.

For more information, visit www.combilift.com

For 25 years, Combilift has been revolutionising the way companies handle and store goods.

Our pioneering product range of multidirectional and pedestrian forklifts, straddle carriers, mobile gantries and container loaders allows you to maneuver long loads safely, reduce aisle widths and increase the amount of space available for storage.

Product News

Contech‘settoelevateitsofferingfurther’

Becoming the exclusive distribution partner for OX Tools and Bora Tools across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Contech Building Products, a cornerstone of the Irish construction industry since 2003, has announced an exciting new chapter in its growth story.

Household name

‘Over the past two decades, Contech has developed the Tec7 brand into a household name in Ireland, and the market leader in the sealant and adhesive category.

‘This success has been built on a foundation of unwavering commitment to service to the merchant, extensive in-store promotional and demo activity, comprehensive product education, and cutting-edge marketing strategies.

‘In recent years, Contech has strategically expanded its brand portfolio, supplying premium names such as SMART, TRACER, WERA, and SPADER to the Irish market.

‘Each addition has been carefully selected to align with Contech’s core values of quality and trust.

Elevate

Effective 2 January 2025, Contech is set to elevate its offering further by becoming the exclusive distribution partner for OX Tools and Bora Tools across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

OX is recognized as the fastest growing tool brand in the world and this partnership will ‘unleash the power’ of the Ox brand on the island of Ireland.

Norman Shimwell, OX EU sales director, emphasized the synergy of this partnership:

‘We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Contech Building Products Ltd. as our exclusive distribution partner for the OX & BORA brands in Ireland & Northern Ireland.

‘Contech Building Products are committed to providing the same level of stockist support as many of you have become accustomed to with our SMART & TRACER brands.’

Collaboration

Olly Dunne, managing director of Contech Building Products, commented on the partnership:

‘This collaboration brings together Contech’s proven brand-building expertise and OX Tools’ cutting-edge product range, promising unparalleled value to the Irish construction sector.

‘Our shared commitment to quality and customer service will set new industry standards, further solidifying

Contech’s position as one of Ireland’s leading distributors of premium construction brands.

‘We’re excited to embark on this journey with OX Tools and look forward to the growth opportunities it presents for both our companies and our customers.’

For stockist enquires, contact Contech Building Products via email at info@ contechbuildingproducts.ie or phone (01) 629 2963.

DIY Products & Accessories -

A message from Dargan Tools Product News

Transforming your outdoor space has never been easier with the 20V DARGAN Battery Range of tools designed to make gardening a breeze.

Whether you’re tidying up edges, clearing fallen leaves, trimming hedges, reaching tall branches, or tackling tougher jobs, our range has got you covered.

Discover the power and convenience of our Battery Range, featuring:

• Strimmers for precise lawn maintenance

• Leaf Blower for e ortless leaf

clearance

• Hedge Trimmer for perfectly manicured hedges

• Polesaw Pruner for reaching high branches with ease

• Chainsaw for heavy-duty cutting tasks

Each tool is cra ed with precision engineering and ergonomic design, ensuring maximum performance and comfort for every gardening task.

Say goodbye to cumbersome cords and hello to freedom with our Battery Range, giving you the flexibility to move around your garden without limitations.

For over forty years, Dargan Tools has been a steadfast name in the Irish hardware market, delivering high-quality solutions for the Hardware, DIY, and Builders Merchant sectors.

Strengthens

In a move that further strengthens our commitment to supporting industry professionals, we are proud to announce our role as the o icial distributor of BIHUI products in Ireland.

Founded in 2009, BIHUI has established itself as a specialist in tools for professional tiling and construction installers.

Essential

Renowned for its innovative approach, BIHUI focuses on developing tools essential for the safe handling, transportation, and

Commitment

We take pride in our commitment to environmental sustainability.

The Battery Range boasts the absence of harmful emissions and a reduction in noise pollution, contributing to a cleaner, greener environment.

Embrace a cleaner, quieter and more convenient approach to tending to your outdoor space.

Explore the full 20V range today and unleash your garden’s potential.

cutting of large-format tiles, as well as the precise installation of ceramic and porcelain tiles.

BIHUI’s range includes hundreds of specialised products that are essential for today’s tile installation demands, from suction cups and li ing solutions to premium cutting systems.

What sets BIHUI apart is its dedication to quality and practicality. By collaborating closely with industry professionals, BIHUI ensures its products are solution-oriented, o ering installers reliable tools that make tasks easier and safer.

Commitment

This commitment to user-friendly innovation aligns perfectly with Dargan Tools’ values, making BIHUI an ideal addition to our portfolio.

Together, Dargan Tools and BIHUI are excited to meet the needs of tiling professionals across Ireland, delivering unmatched quality and support to help the trade achieve excellence.

Quality and reputation

‘Professional tilers are well aware of the quality and reputation of the BIHUI brand, but until now, they faced challenges in sourcing it locally,’ says Niall Dargan, CEO of Dargan Tools.

‘With Dargan Tools as the o icial distributor, hardware stores and builders’ merchants across Ireland can now access BIHUI’s sought-a er range, connecting directly with these professionals and meeting the demand for high-quality tiling tools and equipment.’

Wall colour and panelling: Sweet Dreams 067 (Fleetwood Popular Colours Collection)

The colour trends you’ll love in 2025 and beyond Fleetwood interior designer Catherine Ruane

As we look ahead to 2025, interiors are embracing a palette that’s rich, warm, and inviting, yet bold and sophisticated.

This year’s trends are rooted in earthy neutrals, paired with vibrant, moody tones that create depth and character. These colours o er a timeless elegance while making spaces feel both grounded and luxurious.

Warm earthy neutrals meet vibrant accents

At the heart of 2025’s trends are warm, natural tones that evoke comfort and harmony.

Creamy neutrals and so taupes provide the perfect foundation for layering richer, more dramatic shades. Key colours to watch include:

• Deep chocolate browns: Perfect for adding warmth and grounding a room.

• Burgundies and aubergines: Luxurious tones like plum red and deep purple o er depth and elegance.

• Green tones: Olive, moss, and sage continue to feature prominently for their timeless versatility.

• Gold and ochre: These rich, warm hues add an opulent touch.

• Moody reds: Masculine rose, rich burgundy, and other muted, historical reds are making a comeback—far removed from the bright reds of the early 2000s. These colours feel sophisticated, almost classical, harking back to bygone eras of refinement while remaining contemporary.

Incorporating 2025’s colour trends into interiors

Bringing these bold palettes into your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Start small with accent pieces such as cushions, throws, rugs, or artwork, to add a pop of colour.

For a cohesive and inviting atmosphere, consider combining creamy neutrals, mossy greens and deep rusts with so brown or plum shades.

The key to working with bold colours is balance.

Use a mix of shades to ensure your space feels harmonious rather than overpowering.

Experimentation is encouraged – find the combinations that resonate with your personal style.

Colour drenching

A standout trend that is gaining popularity is colour drenching, where walls, ceilings, trims, and doors are painted in the same or complementary shades.

This monochromatic style creates a cocooning, luxurious look that feels both cosy and dramatic!

For colour drenching, the Vogue Coco 1955 Range from Fleetwood Paints is a personal favourite as it o ers a curated selection of shades within the same colour family, perfect for achieving this e ect!

Some standout options from Fleetwood also include:

• Ventura Muddy Boots

• Vogue Burnt Sage

• Burgundy Blush (CP0482)

• Malbec (CP0483)

• Ventura Porto

• Pantone Shadow Grey

• Ventura Eden Rock

• Vogue Hamptons Dark

Timeless trends with lasting appeal

As we embrace 2025, greens remain a dominant force in design, o ering versatility and timeless appeal.

Whether you go bold with moody reds and rich burgundies or opt for the grounded comfort of earthy neutrals, the key is finding the balance that makes your space uniquely yours.

By incorporating these trends thoughtfully – whether through bold colour drenching or subtle accents—you can create a home that feels inviting, stylish, and deeply personal.

Zinsser’s range of stain-killing aerosols are specially formulated to prime, seal and block stains on new or previously painted surfaces.

B-I-N, Cover Stain and CoversUp aerosols are quick drying, perfect for hard-to-reach areas and ready to use at the touch of a button.

For further information on Zinsser’s range and services, visit: www.zinsseruk.com. For stockist enquiries please contact Relay Global: NI: +44 (0)28 9262 0300 , ROI: +353(0)1 840 3969 or email: info@relay.global.

Product News

Prime, seal and block stains with Zinsser’s aerosol range

Stains showing through the topcoat is a problem professional decorators know all too well, as smoke, nicotine and water marks can quickly bleed through the paint if le untreated.

Revered throughout the industry, Zinsser’s range of highquality, stain-blocking sprays are the ultimate solution for tackling problem stains on walls and ceilings, keeping topcoats blemish free.

As an added bonus, the convenience of an aerosol saves both time and money, with fast drying-times and minimal waste, so decorators can tackle jobs quickly and e iciently.

So long stains

The Zinsser aerosol range primes, seals and blocks out a variety of stubborn stains, including water marks, knots and sap streaks, smoke and fire damage, gra iti, grease, crayon and nicotine.

With a high-hiding power and a rich uniform appearance, the stain-killing spray paints ensure that there is no bleed-through into the topcoat to ruin the job.

Less waste, more haste

Great for small jobs, Zinsser Cover Stain Aerosol is ideal for spot work on interior and exterior walls, ceilings, doors, furniture, fascias, railings and more, while Zinsser B-I-N Aerosol adheres to hard-to-stick materials and seals surface pores, so less finish paint is needed.

Zinsser CoversUp is perfect for touching-up ceilings, matching most acoustic ceiling tiles and white paints.

Aerosols provide just the right amount of paint required, so there’s no need to crack open larger cans just to spot prime a stain.

Convenience at the touch of a button

Another benefit of using aerosols is the convenience, as they’re not only quick drying, but easy to store and ready to use.

Spray paints o er e iciency, speed and a smooth finish with no brush marks, allowing decorators to work faster and paint di icult areas, such as corners, angles and edges, more e ectively.

The high-performance, stain-killing aerosol range includes: B-I-N Aerosol

• Great for priming interior surfaces and spot priming exterior surfaces

• Formulated to prime, seal and block stubborn stains on new or previously painted ceilings, walls, doors and more

• Expertly blocks water, grease, rust, smoke, asphalt, gra iti and many other types of stains

• Seals knots and sap streaks

• E ectively blocks every kind of odour

• Dries in just 10 minutes, recoatable in 45 minutes

• Adheres to surfaces without sanding

Cover Stain Aerosol

• For interior and exterior use, ideal for spot work and priming small objects

• Primes and seals with outstanding stain-killing and undercoating performance

• Especially e ective on smoke, nicotine and water stains

• Prime, sand and topcoat new wood trim in the same day

• Seals redwood and cedar bleed

• Resists cracking, checking and peeling

• Dries in just 35 minutes, recoatable in 2 hours

• Sticks to all surfaces without sanding

CoversUp Aerosol

• A vertical aerosol, great for overhead interior projects

• Stain-killer and ceiling touch-up paint in one

• Flat white finish, matches most acoustic ceiling tiles and white ceiling paints

• Permanently blocks and seals the most common ceiling stains

• Non-yellowing and low-odour formula

• Quick fix for water marks

• Use under or over solvent and water-based paints

• Dries in just 30 minutes, recoatable in 2 hours

With exceptional priming, sealing and stain-blocking on a variety of surfaces, the Zinsser aerosol range o ers fast drying times, e ortless application and the ability to tackle hard-to-reach areas.

Get the job done

Easy to apply and always ready to use, with Zinsser spray paints, professional decorators can get the job done e ectively and in record time.

For renowned and trusted products, get in touch with Relay Global and enquire about stocking Zinsser today, contact: Michael Taylor, Sales & Key Account Manager info@relay.global NI: +44 (0)28 9262 0300 ROI: +353(0)1 840 3969

For more information visit www.zinsseruk.com or follow us on social media @zinsseruk

Dulux Ireland’s journey towards sustainability in Decorative Paints Product News

In the ever-evolving Irish paint market, sustainability and innovation are key drivers of success.

AkzoNobel, Dulux Ireland’s parent company, is a global leader in paints and coatings with ambitious science-based sustainability targets and is continually introducing groundbreaking innovations that are reshaping the industry.

This editorial highlights AkzoNobel’s sustainability goals, recent Dulux Ireland innovations and valuable insights for decorative paint merchants across Ireland.

Sustainability targets and ambitions

AkzoNobel’s overarching commitment is to become a carbonneutral company by 2050.

This long-term vision is supported by nearer-term targets, such as halving our carbon emissions across the entire value chain by 2030, aligning with the 1.5°C pathway.

To do so we now only purchase renewable energy across Europe, are reducing our energy use by 30%, aiming to achieve zero nonreusable waste and ensuring 100% circular use of materials in our operations.

Recent innovations

AkzoNobel’s dedication to sustainability is matched by Ireland’s drive for sustainable innovation.

We have introduced several new products and technologies that not only meet but exceed industry standards for environmental performance.

This includes:

99.9% VOC-Free emulsions: In response to the growing popularity of Green Building certifications such as BREEAM, LEED and WELL in Ireland together with concerns about indoor air quality, Dulux Ireland has launched emulsions that are 99.9% free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

These ultra low-VOC products help reduce the release of VOCs into the environment, contributing to healthier living spaces.

Irish merchants can instantly benefit from this technology as it has been added to our most popular ranges that are designed to meet the demands of both commercial and domestic spaces – Dulux Trade Diamond, Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt and Dulux Trade Supermatt. Water-based trim ranges: Dulux Ireland continues to extend our ranges of water-based trim paints that o er great performance at a lower environmental impact than traditional solvent-based

finishes.

These paints – including Dulux AquaMax Satin and Gloss, Dulux Trade Weathershield Quick Dry Gloss and Hammerite Ultima are designed to provide excellent durability and finish, but with lower odour and faster drying times making them an ideal choice for both interior and exterior applications.

Recycled content in plastic packs: Another key innovation is the use of recycled content in plastic packaging.

At Dulux Ireland we are committed to increasing the use of recycled materials in packaging, reducing plastic waste and promoting a circular economy.

So look out for our dark grey packs in store.

Source: Almost 7 in 10 people in Ireland purchase sustainable products and the same number view climate change as an ‘emergency’ – Deloitte Survey | IFSC

Summary

Dulux Ireland’s commitment to sustainability and innovation is transforming the decorative paints industry.

By setting ambitious targets and introducing cutting-edge products, we are leading the way towards a more sustainable future for our category.

Decorative paint merchants in Ireland and their customers can benefit from these advancements and by encouraging their clients to use these high quality products and more sustainable solutions.

Survey

Almost 7-in-10 people in Ireland purchase sustainable products and the same number view climate change as an ‘emergency’ –Deloitte Survey

Sustainable behaviours continue to be a priority for Irish consumers with nearly half (49%) of consumers in Ireland reporting changing their personal behaviour to take positive action for the climate.

Product News

Carl Kammerling International (CKI) has launched a new app

CKI holds an extensive portfolio of brands, including C.K Tools, an industry-leading hand tool brand primarily targeting electricians, and AVIT, a secondary hand tool brand designed for both secondary professional and DIY use.

The portfolio also features C.K Magma, known for heavy-duty, durable tool storage solutions, and Kasp, which o ers reliable security products to protect valuables.

In addition to its in-house brands, CKI distributes Nerrad Tools, a trusted name in plumbing tools, and Clipacore, which specializes in core drilling accessories.

Diverse

This diverse portfolio enables CKI to address the varied requirements of professionals across multiple industries.

customers.

An intuitive search function streamlines the reordering of favourite items, while a well-organized browsing feature with helpful categories and filters makes discovering new products easier.

Save time

The newly launched CKI app is designed to simplify the ordering process for trade

A ‘shopping list’ function enables users to save time by managing personalized lists and o ers pre-defined selections of

Download

The CKI App is available to download from the App Store and Google Play, search for Carl Kammerling.

If you would like to register as a user, contact salesapp@cki.uk.com Freefone 1800818660 or alternatively your territory manager will be glad to assist you.

CKI, home to trusted brands like C.K Tools, C.K Magma, Kasp, AVIT and Clipacore, has launched a new app to simplify ordering for trade customers. Intuitive Search

Product News

Sharp Distributors: A legacy of excellence in hardware distribution -

Introduction: A pillar of the Irish hardware industry: Sharp Distributors has built a legacy of trust, reliability, and excellence in the Irish hardware distribution sector.

Over the past five decades, Sharp Distributors has become a leading supplier of tools and hardware products to hardware shops and retailers throughout Ireland.

Known for its comprehensive product range and exceptional customer service, the company has earned a reputation as a vital partner to businesses in the hardware industry.

From small family-owned shops to large retail chains, Sharp Distributors has been instrumental in ensuring that Irish hardware retailers have access to the highest quality products at competitive prices.

As the demand for high-performance tools and hardware continues to grow, Sharp Distributors remains committed to providing its clients with the tools they need to succeed.

DIY Products & Accessories

A rich history: From humble beginnings to industry leadership: What began as a small, locally-operated business quickly grew into one of the largest and most trusted distributors of hardware and tools in Ireland.

Through a combination of strategic partnerships, strong relationships with manufacturers, and a focus on customer satisfaction, Sharp Distributors cemented its place as a cornerstone of the Irish hardware industry.

Today, Sharp Distributors is a well-established name, trusted by hardware stores, DIY centres, and retailers across the country.

The company’s deep expertise and long-standing commitment to service have ensured its position as a leader in the competitive distribution market.

A diverse range of products: Supplying hardware retailers nationwide: Sharp Distributors offers a wide variety

of products, ranging from hand tools and power tools to building materials, plumbing supplies, and home improvement essentials.

The company works with well-known international brands and trusted local manufacturers to ensure a diverse selection that meets the needs of every retailer and consumer.

Tools and equipment: As the backbone of the hardware industry, Sharp Distributors is known for its extensive range of highquality tools and equipment.

Whether it’s hand tools for the DIY enthusiast or professionalgrade tools for trade workers, Sharp Distributors supplies products that meet the highest standards of quality and durability.

From drills and saws to wrenches and screwdrivers, Sharp Distributors offers a comprehensive range of tools that cater to a broad spectrum of customers.

The company’s commitment to stocking the latest and most reliable products ensures that retailers can offer their customers the best in quality and performance.

Plumbing and electricians supplies: Sharp Distributors is also a trusted source for plumbing and electrical supplies, offering everything from pipes, fittings, and valves to certified VDE Tools, Electrical tape, and cable ties.

With a focus on quality, the company supplies products that adhere to the highest safety and performance standards, ensuring both homeowners and professionals have access to the materials they need for any job.

Paint brushes, adhesives, and sealants: For the retail sector, Sharp Distributors provides a wide range of paint brushes, adhesives, and sealants.

Whether it’s for home renovations, construction, or industrial applications, the company supplies a broad range of high-quality products that deliver reliable results and help customers achieve professional finishes.

Garden and outdoor products: In addition to tools and hardware, Sharp Distributors also provides a variety of garden and outdoor products, including lawn care tools, and gardening essentials.

Whether it’s for homeowners looking to maintain their gardens or professionals working on landscaping projects, Sharp Distributors stocks the products needed to enhance outdoor spaces.

Fasteners and fixings: From screws and hoseclips to anchors and bolts, Sharp Distributors offers a comprehensive range of fasteners and fixings that are essential for both construction projects and everyday repairs.

Retailers can rely on Sharp Distributors to supply high-quality products that meet their customers’ needs for durability and reliability.

Customer-focused service: Tailored solutions for retailers: One of the key factors that set Sharp Distributors apart from other hardware distributors is its customer-focused approach.

The company understands that each hardware shop or retailer has unique requirements, and as such, they offer tailored solutions

Product News

to meet the specific needs of their clients.

Whether it’s providing expert advice on product selection, offering flexible ordering systems, or ensuring timely and efficient deliveries, Sharp Distributors places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction.

Their dedicated customer service team works closely with retailers to ensure that stock levels are maintained and that retailers have access to the latest products on the market.

The company’s robust logistics and delivery network ensures that products are delivered quickly and reliably, whether it’s a small order for a local hardware store or a large order for a chain of retailers.

With an emphasis on building long-term relationships with its customers, Sharp Distributors is committed to being a trusted partner to retailers across Ireland.

Strong partnerships with leading brands: Over the years, Sharp Distributors has developed strong partnerships with some of the world’s leading hardware and tool manufacturers.

These partnerships enable the company to offer a diverse range of high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of the Irish market.

By working closely with manufacturers, Sharp Distributors can offer its customers exclusive access to the latest tools and innovations, often before they hit the wider market.

The company’s product offering includes trusted names in the industry, ensuring that hardware shops can provide their customers with reliable and durable products from wellestablished brands.

Adapting to changing market needs: The hardware industry is constantly evolving, with new products, technologies, and customer demands shaping the market.

Sharp Distributors has continually adapted to these changes by expanding its product range, investing in the latest technologies, and staying ahead of market trends.

For example, the rise of e-commerce and online retailing has led Sharp Distributors to enhance its digital presence, offering online ordering systems and customer support to better serve the growing number of retailers who are shifting to online sales channels.

By embracing these changes, Sharp Distributors ensures that it remains a relevant and valuable partner for retailers in an increasingly digital world.

Looking ahead: Continued growth and innovation: As Sharp Distributors remains focused on growth, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

With a deep understanding of the evolving needs of the hardware retail sector, Sharp Distributors is well-positioned to continue its success in the years to come.

By continually expanding its product offerings, improving its services, and investing in the latest technologies, Sharp Distributors will continue to be a trusted partner for hardware shops and retailers across Ireland.

As the industry grows and diversifies, Sharp Distributors will be at the forefront of delivering the high-quality products and services that Irish retailers rely on.

When you can say yes to any of these 5 questions, You’ll feel more fulfilled, satisfied, and less stressed, backed by happiness science

Expert opinion by Jeff Haden, contributing editor, inc. @jeff_haden

How you’re made certainly affects how you deal with stress as well as your overall level of happiness. But considerable research shows so does what you do.

Who wants to feel happier and less stressed? Entrepreneurs, for one.

A landmark study – and a viral Inc. article – shows significantly more small-business owners report feeling more stressed and anxious than other workers.

(‘If it is to be, it’s up to me’ is both empowering and intimidating.)

Widespread

Even if you’re not an entrepreneur, feelings of stress and anxiety are widespread.

One out of three respondents in a study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic ranked their mental health as low.

Forty-five percent said they had dealt with anxiety in the previous week.

Thirty-six percent said they had experienced sadness or depression.

Those are problems without ready solutions; for example, a Journal of General Internal Medicine study found that only about a third of people recently found to have depression seek some form of treatment or support.

Other studies show one in four people say they have ‘no idea’ how to improve their level of happiness and overall emotional well-being. Let’s work on that. There are simple ways to better deal with stress and anxiety, improve your overall outlook, and increase your feelings of happiness.

But before we do, let’s talk about the nature of happiness itself.

Everyone has a happiness set-point

Research shows approximately 50 percent of your level of happiness – what psychologists call your happiness set-point – is determined by hereditary personality traits.

Think nature, not nurture.

While being unable to change a chunk of your happiness baseline sounds less than ideal, the flip side is empowering, because that means half of your subjective wellbeing (a term psychologists like better than ‘happiness’) is within your control.

How you’re made? It affects your happiness. But so does what you do.

Especially what you do on a regular basis. Especially if you can say yes to one or more of the following questions.

1. ‘I try to stay positive, not happy’

A 2020 study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology determined most people fall into one of two basic categories:

• Some focus on being happy. Happiness is their goal: They think about happiness – even in moments when they feel happy. When they aren’t happy, they think they’re failing. As a result, when faced with negative emotions they tend to struggle and rate themselves as relatively unhappy.

• Others focus on staying positive. Positivity is their goal: They look for ways to feel and stay positive. They structure their day around maximizing positives and minimizing or avoiding negatives. As a result, when (stuff) happens, they tend to see negative emotions as part of life.

Why does focusing on staying positive rather than being happy matter?

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that emodiversity – the variety and relative abundance of the emotions that humans experience – is a better predictor of mental and physical health.

Oddly enough, if you want to be happier, sometimes you need to feel a little sad. And when you do feel sad, the key is to work the problem and determine how to make things better.

The key is to turn feelings of stress or anxiety into action.

The key is to turn ‘woe is me’ into emotionalneutral and eventually to turn that negative into a positive, if only by finding ways to ensure that whatever happened doesn’t happen again.

As the Stoics would say: You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond. Or in this case, ‘I can’t always be happy, but I can always try to stay positive’. Because your future is always dependent on your actions in the present.

2. ‘I consistently spend time outdoors’

A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports

found that spending two hours per week outdoors can significantly improve overall well-being. According to the researchers: Compared to no nature contact last week, the likelihood of reporting good health or high well-being became significantly greater.

It did not matter how 120 minutes was achieved (one long versus several shorter outings per week).

Why? Possibly because being outdoors is a proxy for activity.

But then again, a study published in Frontiers in Psychology found psychological benefits can be gained simply from sitting passively in natural (as opposed to urban) settings.

Granted, correlation isn’t necessarily causation; maybe happier people simply tend to spend more time outdoors.

But then again, a Landscape and Urban Planning study found that women with breast cancer who spent two hours a week in nature experienced ‘restored cognitive resources depleted by the stress of their diagnoses and early treatment’, and experienced lower levels of stress.

Bottom line? Spending at least a couple of hours a week outdoors helps improve your overall sense of well-being and happiness.

And it’s fun.

3. ‘I buy a little time’

Here’s a fun one. In a 2017 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers surveyed thousands of people who occasionally paid other people to perform tasks they didn’t enjoy or didn’t want to do.

Like housecleaning. Yard work. Errands. Things people need to do, but don’t always want to do.

The result? People who were willing to spend a little money to buy a little time were happier and felt greater overall life satisfaction than people who did not.

And here’s the thing: While relatively wealthy people who spent money to buy a little time were happier than relatively wealthy people who did not, people at the bottom end of the economic spectrum who spent money to buy a little time were happier than those at the bottom end of the economic spectrum who did not.

The researchers then added a twist to the

study, giving participants money and a choice: buy things or buy time. Turns out buying time le people feeling happier, less stressed, and more satisfied than buying things.

In short, having more money can certainly make you happier, but what you do with the money you have matters, too.

The key to buying time is to consciously decide how you will use the time your money frees up. Buying time will make you happier only if it feels intentional and purposeful - not because you don’t have the time, but because you want to use your time di erently.

Instead of cleaning your house, you might decide to spend that time with family or friends, working on a project you’ve been putting o , or working out-something you want to do with the time you bought.

That’s when money can buy you a little happiness.

No matter how much money you make, or have.

4. ‘I compare myself only with myself’

Comparisons are o en happiness killers.

Psychologists call the result of external comparisons relative deprivation: deciding that things other people have are things we should have, even if we don’t need them – or, before we noticed, never even thought we wanted.

For many people, relative deprivation significantly impacts their level of happiness.

A 2017 study published in IZA World of Labor determined that relative deprivation helps explain why average happiness has not increased despite a dramatic rise in average income around the world.

The key to avoiding relative deprivation isn’t to avoid seeing things you might want; that’s impossible. (Hi, Kawasaki Ninja H2R!)

The key to avoiding relative deprivation isn’t to avoid meeting people whose success you might envy; that’s also impossible. (Hi, sandwich

sharing pal Richard!)

The key is to know what you want. Your goals. Your dreams. Your ambitions. What provides you with the greatest sense of fulfilment and happiness.

And then working to achieve, possess, or become those things.

Because where happiness habits are concerned, only two comparisons matter. The first is who you are today compared with who you were in the past.

Making that comparison will remind you just how far you’ve come. The second is who you are today compared with who you hope to someday become.

Making that comparison will keep you focused on doing the things that make you feel more fulfilled, grateful, and happy.

5. ‘I think about friends more than connections’ It’s easy to focus on building a professional network of partners, customers, employees, connections, etc., if only because there (hopefully) is a payo .

But there’s a bigger payo to making real and not just professional or social media friends. Increasing your number of friends correlates to higher subjective well-being.

A study published in PLOS One found doubling your number of (real) friends is, in terms of how happy you feel, like increasing your income by 50 percent.

Friendships will make you happier. Being nice to people you don’t know will make you happier. Even doing partial favours for people can make you happy.

Science says so.

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.