Catering sales kick-started garden centres' year, according to the latest figures from the Garden Centre Association (GCA). 

South African retailer Steinhoff, which owns Harveys and Bensons for Beds, has made a rival bid of £1.42bn for Argos, outstripping Sainsbury's bid of £1.35bn. 

Home Retail Group's shares have jumped by 12% following Steinhoff International's rival bid against Sainsbury's for Argos. 

Internet retail giant Amazon has announced plans to open a one million sq ft fulfilment centre in Coalville, Leicestershire, as part of its £4.6bn investment in UK projects. 

Stores falling into the 'household goods' category saw the biggest year-on-year online sales growth for January 2016 compared with all other retail sectors, up 29.8% on January 2015 according to the Office for National Statistics. 

Homebase has issued a recall for its Bamboo Roll Up Blinds over fears the pull cord breakaways are too strongly locked and could pose a risk of strangulation to a small child. 

The new two-day, mid-week Totally Tools and Totally DIY shows closed yesterday afternoon, with the jury still out for many as to whether the show - noticeably missing several big-name exhibitors - made it work. 

B&Q has confirmed its Motherwell supercentre is among the 60 stores to be culled by the Kingfisher retail giant over the next two years, according to reports. 

Hundreds of top names from the DIY industry flocked to the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, for the DIY Week awards last night. 

Reports over the weekend have stirred up talk that private equity firm Terra Firma is considering selling the 153-strong Wyevale Garden Centre chain, with city sources suggesting an auction is on the cards 

The re-vamped two day Totally DIY and Totally Tools opened today, debuting it's midweek time slot. 

The British Hardware Federation Awards were presented today at trade show Totally DIY: Totally Tools by BHF chairman Stewart Munro and BIRA CEO Alan Hawkins. 

In the first initiative of its kind for Travis Perkins plc, the Innovation Awards will be open for entries next month. 

Wholesaler and distributor, Centurion Europe has set out an ambitious development strategy that it hopes will see the organisation break into new markets in 2016. 

Following the New Year acquisition of Bosmere Products by Tildenet, the transition of operations has has now been concluded, with all orders now being processed at Bristol headquarters of The Tildenet Group. 

Squire's Garden Centres has named former Scotts Miracle-Gro man Martin Breddy as managing director designate. 

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) Trust has completed its best year ever of approving grants to students of horticulture. 

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is holding its next Credit Forum on March 9. 

Bradstone landscaping products supplier Aggregate Industries has been deposited into a Hall of Shame because of a claim that it has excessively long payment terms. 

January was a good month for consumer spending - and for the high street in particular.