Dunelm Mill is leading the £11bn homewares retail market with 0.1% more market share than former top dog John Lewis, according to Verdict. The consultancy estimated Dunelm now has 6.9% market share, up from 6.1% last year. 

Bad weather over the summer drove consumers to spend more inside, helping to offset the impact of the declining housing market on the decorative and indoor power tools categories, according to market analyst GfK. 

Revenues are estimated to have increased by 3.7% like-for-like during Topps Tiles' fourth quarter, the retailer announced in its pre-close trading update for the 52 weeks ending September 29, 2012. 

Bayer Garden's weedkiller range will continue its TV campaign in the spring of 2013 following its successful run this year. 

A third more DIY retailers reported sales volumes were down during the first two weeks of September than those reporting positive results, according to the latest distributive trades survey from the CBI. 

Marks & Spencer has received the accolade Responsible Retailer of the Year in a global awards scheme. 

Around 44% of shoppers buying online from DIY and out-of-town retailers are choosing to collect their goods rather than have them delivered. 

Smart Solar has announced it is distributing the Haxnicks range of products across the UK, France and Germany under an exclusive licensing deal. 

Drawing inspiration from the performance of Team GB at London 2012, staff members from Kingfisher took to the water, bikes and track for partner charity UK Youth at this year's London Triathlon. 

A group of criminals who defrauded B&Q of almost a quarter of a million pounds over a five-year period have been put behind bars. 

Leekes says the opening last Saturday of its biggest-yet store was one of the most important milestones in the family business's 115-year history. 

A team of 19 Wickes workers braved the wilderness of Alaska on an eight day trek, raising £35,695 and counting for partner charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. 

Known as "one of the few comics who can bring crowds to their feet," Terry Alderton will take to the stage at the upcoming DIY Week Awards. 

The UK manufacturer and supplier of DIY and home products has secured a partnership with a major distributor, helping extend its reach throughout Africa, with plans to double exports by 2015. 

QEP has just announced the completion of two new acquisitions - Nupla Corporation and HISCO, operating collectively as Nupla. 

Retailers are calling for business rates to be frozen next year, as new figures show that retail sales growth is now averaging half what it was in the years before the Lehman Brothers collapse. 

Irish business Hosfords Geranium & Garden Centre has gone into liquidation. 

A record number of over 1m autumn brochures and leaflets have been ordered by Home Hardware retailers - an increase of 8.8% on last year. 

Cheshire village hardware and DIY retailer Morreys is set to join up with Sainsbury's and incorporate a small convenience store within the unit. 

"Less is more" - one of the visitor comments chalked up on the trend tunnel suggestion board, and a thematic response from exhibitors at this year's all-new Glee, which debuted at the NEC Birmingham this week.