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. 

US private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) have acquired a "significant stake" in discount retailer B&M in a deal rumoured to have valued the retailer at more than £900m. 

Eight men who used the car park of Squires Garden Centre in Windsor, Berkshire, for multi-million pound class A drugs deals have been jailed for a total of 59 years after a large-scale police drugs swoop. 

The Horticultural Trades and Garden Centre Associations are to share premises at Theale, Reading, from February 1, 2013. 

The cost of retail crime this year is estimated at £1bn, up 3.4% and £33m on last year. 

Two-thirds of MPs are backing a demand for a freeze on business rates next year - and it is supported equally by Conservative and Labour MPs. 

Poundworld says difficult trading conditions on the high street are giving the retailer the chance to snap up stores cheaply, as it continues its ambitious store expansion programme. 

Home safety products supplier Sprue Aegis has once again been recognised as one of Britain's 100 top-performing private companies in this year's Sunday Times Fast Track 100 league table. 

B&Q will partner Sentebale, a children's charity founded by Prince Harry and Prince Deeiso of Lesotho, at next year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with a garden designed by landscape designer Jinny Blom. 

The directors of kitchenware and former ironmongery supplier Kitchen Craft - Andrew Plant, Richard Plant and Peter Bushell - have announced the passing of John Plant on November 22, aged 84, after a long battle with cancer. 

Building on the success of its previous Meet the Buyer days, the British Home Enhancement Trade Association's recent event with John Lewis produced "some wonderful results", according to the retailer. 

With trade in wood from illegal or controversial sources still going on, new good practice guidance to support industry efforts in responsible sourcing and sustainable forest management has been issued. 

As 'Cyber Monday' heralds the peak of online Christmas shopping sales, retail experts are predicting mobile transactions to increase ten-fold this year.