UK manufacturers have reported a marked improvement in activity in the three months to August, according to the CBI. Output in some sectors, including building materials and metal manufacture, was particularly strong. 

The independent garden centre industry has taken a hit as plans have been submitted to knock down two garden centres which could make way for housing developments. 

Horticultural design and print company Floramedia has pledged to donate label printing support to Garden Re-Leaf, which raises money for charity. 

An online garden centre has become the first in the UK to sell weeds, thanks to a new craze for wildflowers and increased demand from many gardeners. 

The countdown to next month's Glee has begun, with the show promising a host of special business-focused features for garden industry professionals, 30 brand-new exhibitors and a return to its Sunday-to-Tuesday format. 

Consumers are expected to hit the high streets this bank holiday weekend, to shop for DIY and gardening products to make the most of the expected warm weather. 

The British Independent Retailers Association has confirmed it will be creating its own 'village' of Bira suppliers again at next year's Totally DIY and Totally Tools exhibition. 

Many small, independent retailers are threatened by a lack of basic financial knowledge, according to a survey. 

The Rainy Day Trust has benefited from the lion's share of over £7,000 raised at the annual clay pigeon shoot held at the Royal Berkshire shooting school last month. 

Young gardeners spend more money on gardening products and are more enthusiastic about growing their own fruit and veg. 

Sales of bakeware and baking accessories are enjoying a major boost from the launch of the latest series of BBC television's hit show, Great British Bake Off. 

Next has been given the go-ahead to build a new Home and Garden store in Cheshire. 

US home improvement chain Lowe's has had its bid to acquire rival Orchard Supply Hardware approved by a bankruptcy court. 

The Garden Centre Association has launched its annual Ruxley Rose competition, recognising excellent quality and range of plants, but with a new twist for 2013. 

Frustrated consumers are having to resort to Stanley knives and screwdrivers in their efforts to get through the packaging of some everyday products. 

US giant Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer, is being taken to court by rival Orchard Supply Hardware after the supply of Makita and Milwaukee power tools to Orchard dried up. 

The Range is set to open 45 stores in the next three years, and opened its first store in Scotland on Friday. 

A shop owner advertising 'immigrant bags' has caused uproar among locals in Crowborough and sparked outrage on Twitter over the offensive image. 

Wiltshire Council has agreed to carry out a review of car parking charges in Salisbury in 2014, but local MP John Glen has said this won't automatically fix all local retailers' problems. 

July garden centre sales show retailers are up by 5% on 2012, but still behind 2011 and 2010.