Travis Perkins Plc has announced financial results for the 11 months to November 30, 2012, revealing sales in its consumer division - mainly Wickes, but also Toolstation following its consolidation in January - were up 13.3%, but down nearly 6% like-for-like. 

West Yorkshire garden centre Whiteleys, which fell into administration for the second time just weeks ago, has already notched up several potential buyers. 

Dobbies has been given the go-ahead to create a new garden centre adjoining a Tesco supermarket in Inverness. 

Half-year results up to October 27, 2012, have revealed a profit jump from £800,000 last year to £5.4m in Carpetright's UK stores, a jump largely attributed to a net reduction of 10 stores. 

Staff facing redundancy at collapsed electrical chain Comet have been delivered another blow with the news that they will not be allowed to keep cash donated in stores by sympathetic customers. 

Home improvement industry charity the Rainy Day Trust has substantially enlarged its range of activity by merging with the Pottery and Glass Trades Benevolent Fund. 

The Garden Centre Association has announced the 12 regional winners of its annual Christmas display competition. 

The final quarter of 2012 has seen a flurry of garden centre concession openings as retailers look to make up the shortfall of the year's tough spring and summer, according to First Franchise. 

Sainsbury's says it expects to "grow the home heating market significantly" as it unveils plans to sell a range of gas and oil boilers in its 13 stores in Northern Ireland. 

Bents Garden & Home bucks the doom and gloom trend recording its highest ever footfall last weekend and best week of sales. 

A dedicated Outdoor Living & Leisure section will be a new feature of next year's Spring Fair International, situated in Hall 10. 

Retail organisations have expressed their frustration that Chancellor George Osborne failed to heed calls to freeze business rates next year, when making his Autumn Statement in the House of Commons yesterday. 

JW Ostendorf, one of Europe's leading paint producers, has taken over French paint producer Renaulac in a bid to grow its international business. 

Major developments including the relocation and expansion of a Greenways Restaurant, and more than 5,000sq m of extra retail space at Gloucestershire-based Highfields Garden World have been given the green light. 

Home Retail Group has announced that CA Technologies' Jacqueline de Rojas has joined its board as a non-executive director, following news that Argos aims to position itself as a leading digital retailer and Homebase plans to focus on multi-channel. 

Retailers will be hoping for a last-minute Christmas boost from shoppers, as new retail sales figures reveal that customers felt cautious about spending last month. 

Wickes has been using the expertise of its trade customers to benefit local communities and tackle youth unemployment through its work with the Volunteer It Yourself project. 

John Lewis' lovelorn snowman has beaten its nearest rival by a country mile in a poll to find consumers' favourite Christmas 2012 ad. 

Theo Paphitis, who took on Robert Dyas earlier this year, has boosted the marketing budget for his three major retail brands, Dyas, Boux Avenue and Ryman Stationery. 

Fasteners and fixings supplier Owlett-Jaton has extended access to its popular online trading portal 'OJ Trade' to allow more customers to source fasteners, fixings, hardware and ironmongery.