The HTA has reported that garden centre sales have grown for five consecutive months and that year-to-date sales figures are above the 2012 levels. 

The British Coatings Federation (BCF) has expanded its training programme by teaming up with a new partner, Vincentz Network, to take the web-based Coatings Training worldwide. 

Lakeland director of buying Matthew Canwell revealed to another record audience at BHETA's latest forum what are the retailer's hottest product categories right now. 

Phyllis Self, a former director of Wiltshire's Whitehall Garden Centre, has died at the age of 105. 

Fermoy's Garden Centre in Devon has confirmed that there are talks of it being taken over by a new owner. 

Opposition leader Ed Miliband has said a business rates freeze would provide some relief for small businesses, but others say there is much more that needs to be done. 

Sales at Poundland were up 15% to £880 million last year and 51 new stores opened. The company said it also plans to open 1,000 new stores across the UK. 

The Cookshop and Housewares Association has set the date for its next fun-filled CHA Independents Day. 

Topps Tiles is expecting to report a marginal rise in profits when it posts its full-year results on November 26. 

Competition from supermarkets and online retailers is forcing the closure of a long-established Essex garden centre. 

A prize draw at the Home Hardware Southwest Autumn Trade Show raised £525 for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF). Fire Angel was also voted Best Display Stand, awarding a cash prize and certificate to the company. 

The British Independent Retailers Association has revealed the details of its next annual High Street Conference, which will take place on Thursday May 15, 2014 at Four Pillars Hotel, Cotswold Water Park. 

A fire broke out at the Homebase store in Liskeard, near Plymouth, in the early hours of Saturday morning. After initial inspection, backup crews were called and around eight fire engines attended the scene to tackle the blaze. 

An independent garden centre near Bristol is marking its 80th birthday this year by unveiling plans for a dramatic redevelopment. 

The dealer-owned buying group recently made the payout in the form of dividends and rebates to its retail members. 

Ikea has teamed up with global solar company, Hanergy, to sell solar panels and a full installation service to its customers in its stores. 

Screwfix has managed to achieve zero waste to landfill at its 285 UK stores through a series of initiatives in recent years. 

Aggregate Industries, one of the UK's leading aggregates, construction and building materials groups, has announced a major re-brand which will consolidate 25 of its businesses under the Aggregate Industries name. 

Retail sales exceeded expectations, growing strongly in the year to September 2013, with furniture and carpet retailers leading the way, according to CBI results. 

A man has been charged following a break-in at a Homebase store in Epsom at the weekend.