AllTheToolsYouNeed.com

You could be forgiven for thinking so, if you read an article published today in Design Week. Here’s what it has to say on the subject:

Enter the Ixo, launched by Bosch in 2003 – a small, sleek and decidedly cute cordless screwdriver. Bosch also offers the Isio, a marvel of a garden trimmer, while Black & Decker has the nifty Mouse sander, and there’s the revolver range from new kid on the block Worx. In the 21st century, it seems, power tool manufacturers targeting the domestic DIY market have realised that customers are demanding a bit more design flair.

What is the world coming to? But seriously, everyone knows that the best products are a happy marriage of form and function.

You can read the full article to find out more – and don’t forget to check out our very own tips for buying power tools.

A quick reminder to check out the deals of the week page on the Wickes website which always has somwe worthwhile bargains on offer. Here are some highlights which are available as we write:

• Save 20 per cent on fast-fix laminate flooring
• Save up to 25 per cent on designer radiators
• Spend £50 or more and save 20 per cent on all Wickes paints
• Save £40 on a timber loft ladder and hatch
• Save 30 per cent on Olympus ceramic floor tiles
• Save £15 on a galvanised mobile toolbox and chest
• Save a third on a portable work light

Bear in mind, as always, that all these offers are time-limited and, while accurate at time of writing, will not perpetually be available.

A bid by the government to kick-start the economy with a 2.5 per cent cut to shopping taxes seems to have started paying off in the home improvement sector.

Last Monday Chancellor Alistair Darling announced the VAT cut in his pre-Budget report in a bid to encourage consumers to spend more and boost the economy.

And it seems that the tactic may be working. While sales are still broadly down on this period last year, they are well up on last month, as would be expected with Christmas approaching and the economy functioning normally.

Department store John Lewis, which trades extensively in homewares, has reported improved Christmas trading and a record week for online shopping.

Elsewhere Marks & Spencer, another retailer with a big homeware department and a dual presence on the high street and online, has been holding 20 per cent off sales.

It has kept many stores open until midnight to tempt customers into taking advantage of special offers.

Elsewhere, Debenhams has dramatically cut prices while administrators for Woolworths reduced some prices last week by up to 50 per cent.

One casualty of the looming recession has been furniture retailer MFI which was forced to call in administrators in October.

And Kingfisher, Europe’s largest home-improvement retailer and owner of B&Q, has reported a decline in its third-quarter UK sales.

The company warned that consumer confidence had been shaken across all its markets.