B&Q

Great to be able to showcase one of our circular economy projects at the BRC event today.

Throughout Black History Month, we’ve been shining a light on black innovators - like W.A Martin, who in 1889 created one of DIY’s most recognizable items, the lock. At B&Q, we strive to give colleagues the support they need to unlock and develop their talent. We spoke with Tireni Ladega about how B&Q unlock potential for ethnically diverse colleagues and what Black History Month means to him. Want to unlock your potential? Join us! Find out more about we offer – https://bit.ly/48c2zqh #TogetherWeCan

Christmas trends Our larger stores are now dressed for Christmas with new display tables, 250 new products, neon lights, and a tree forest – giving customers a more immersive, festive experience when they visit. Mairi Devlin, our very own Mrs Christmas! provided a few insights on the trends for this year: “Christmas is traditionally a time to embrace seasonal décor and we’re seeing that that’s true now more than ever with the growing trend to change home décor seasonally. We’ve seen a trend for decorations not just being for Christmas, and our research* highlights that 27% of people, and 31% when it comes to renters, change their home décor seasonally, and 57% of people buy small things for their homes every couple of months to decorate.  More outdoor Seasonal lighting is staying up all year round for example, and cluster lights have become a best seller as they add a twinkle and ambience to the garden year-round and not just for the holiday season. Christmas is a time for fun and joy, and we’ve had great fun putting together this year’s range: selecting over 60 different types of artificial and real trees to give more choice for the ongoing trend of having more than one tree; curating four seasonal decorative ranges - ‘Festive Classics’, ‘Nordic Naturals’, ‘Ice Garden’ and ‘Woodland Magic’ – to provide impactful on-trend decorating themes that can also easily be mixed and matched to suit personal style; and extending our range of lights and home accessories to reflect the trend to decorate every nook and cranny of the home and garden. 2023 saw a maximalist trend and we’re expecting huge baubles in strong colours and large outdoor decorations, such as lit-up reindeers and giant inflatable polar bears, to be popular again this year. The excitement of Christmas 2024 may be still to come but we’ve already started the fun of buying for Christmas 2025!” *The B&Q The Way We Live Now 2024 report (see link in comments)

At B&Q we understand the importance of continual learning and the power it gives to change, grow, and achieve our individual, team and organisational goals. Whatever goal you're working to at B&Q, we want to help you get there, because we know that the best way to grow is together. We make sure you always have the support you need to take on every challenge and fit your learning around your life. Here’s Dan Plowright telling us about his career journey whilst working at B&Q. Find more than just a job, find your career at B&Q – https://bit.ly/3NAX8aV #TogetherWeCan #BandQcareers

B&Q trade brand TradePoint UK has launched its first app this month, an important step in our commitment to enhancing the shopping experience of customers and connecting more of them to our range of products. The new app offers trade professionals fast and easy exclusive access to services and discounts on all home improvement materials and a new loyalty membership area. You can download the app on both Google Play and Apple App store for Android and IOS.

B&Q Build a Life Project Report 2024 Today we’ve published our first Build a Life Project Annual Report, highlighting the initiatives we’re taking and the progress being made to improve our impact and achievements for the planet, our communities and our colleagues. We continue to make good progress against our targets. We’ve reduced carbon emissions from our operations – Scope 1 and 2 emissions - by 63.5% since 2016/17 and, by offering products with improved energy efficiency to help decarbonise homes, collaborating with suppliers to help tackle manufacturing emissions, and using fewer and different production and packaging materials, we’re reducing the intensity of our Scope 3 emissions. In 2023/24, our community programmes helped more than 718,000 people and we donated more than £3 million to the B&Q Foundation and national partner, Shelter. We’re proud of our progress on standing for inclusivity – we do not tolerate abuse or discrimination of any kind by anyone – colleagues, customers, contractors or business partners, as well as our enhanced HR policies from kinship paid leave to paid leave for armed forces cadet volunteers. You can read the full report via the link in the comments below. #BuildALifeProject #BandQ #NetZero #Sustainability #ResponsibleBusiness #Planet #People #BelongAtBandQ

The power of three small words… We asked colleagues to describe what it’s like to work at B&Q, in just three words. Here’s what Jess Gillan, Lee Tattersall and Charlotte Ragan had to say. Find a culture that reflects you https://bit.ly/3TohV4Q

We have expanded the way our customers can use and purchase tools – offering a range of refurbished tools as part of our Refurbed by B&Q range as well as expanding our tool hire service for customers not wanting to commit to a tool purchase. The introduction of a refurbed tool offering is part of B&Q’s commitment to help customers make easier and more convenient choices suited to their project and budget, whilst reducing waste and environmental impact. The tools are sourced from customer returns, which are then processed by B&Q technicians to ensure they meet ‘like new’ standards. The products are safely examined, checked, and cleaned before they’re put up for sale again at a discounted price. All products are graded, PAT and function tested, component checked and thoroughly cleaned. For customers not ready to purchase a tool they can use B&Q’s tool hire service which now offers customers access to over 100 products to hire for a range of projects. Customers can order in store or online and get their hired product in as little as 24 hours. These services seek to promote resource efficiency and minimise waste by designing products and systems with recycling and sustainability in mind. #Youcandoit #bandq #tools

Celebrating black innovation in the home   In tune with Black History Month’s theme for 2024 - Reclaiming Narratives - we're shining a light on the black innovators who created some of DIY’s most recognisable items - from lawn mowers and ironing boards, to doorknobs and gas heating. To share these stories with more people and to hero our colleagues, our in-store radio will be hosting a black music takeover throughout October, with members of our Embrace Cultural Diversity colleague network and Ethnic Advisory Group introducing themselves and playing their favourite songs, as well as highlighting six of the everyday DIY items created by black innovators. We are also collaborating with four black content creators to showcase the role that these historic inventions have played in their home improvement projects. The first content in this series is live today at B&Q Instagram.   Andy Moat, commented “When we heard this year’s Black History Month theme - Reclaiming Narratives - it felt like the perfect time to celebrate Black innovation in the home. Some of the most familiar and iconic DIY products were invented by brilliant Black minds - from lawn mowers to ironing boards - and we want to encourage people to recognise and celebrate their invaluable contributions to our society. “Inclusivity is at the heart of our brand and supporting Black History Month is part of our year-round  activities delivering on our constant , long-term commitment to make B&Q a place where everyone feels welcome and that they belong.” Everyday DIY items invented by black innovators include: ·      The ironing board: designed by Sarah Boone who, in 1858, was one of the first Black women to receive a patent. Her ironing board design was narrower and curvier, making it easier to iron women’s clothing in particular. ·      The curtain rod: designed by Samuel Scrotton who secured a patent for his invention in 1892. He also invented the curtain rod finial, supporting bracket and a cornice.  ·      The rotary blade lawn mower: designed by John Burr in 1899. His design included traction wheels and rotary blades making it possible to mow closer to buildings and wall edges, and to stop the mower getting clogged up. ·      Cold water-dispensing ‘American’ fridge: invented by John Standard in 1891. His design included cold-air ducts and perforations ensuring constant cold air circulation and the collection of cold water for drinking purposes. ·      The doorknob: invented by Osbourn Dorsey in 1878. His invention used cast iron in place of wood and metal, and made opening and securing doors much easier. ·      The gas heating system: based upon the first gas furnace, invented by Alice Parker, in the early 20th century.  Her gas furnace was powered by natural gas and the was the first heating system to contain individually controlled air ducts to distribute heat evenly.                                                              #Belonging #BandQ #BlackHistoryMonth 

Thomas Parker and Bryony Bennett tell us what it’s like to redesign and reshape our approach to bathrooms – so that when it’s time for your next project, we can support you from start to finish. Want to shape the market and your career? Join us! Find out more about we offer https://bit.ly/3XOHUUu #TogetherWeCan