GfK Retail and Technology recorded a bumper sales growth within durable product sectors, including white goods and home electricals, in the week ending December 24. 

Home categories saw the biggest increase in the five weeks to December 31, while sales across the department store chain were up nearly 33% in the week before Christmas. 

William Sinclair chief executive Bernard Burns revealed that the growing media firm could look to acquire other horticultural brands and businesses in the next financial year, following the release of its full year results. 

Tool distributor Rollins Group has taken over UK and Ireland distribution rights for the Arrow Fastener range of staple guns and other tools. 

Home improvement retailer launches its largest digital advertising campaign to help drive spending and promote its winter kitchen and bathroom sale. 

Colin Rodway, former BHF national president and owner of Rodways hardware store in Ledbury, Herefordshire, died on December 29 after a long illness. He was 67. 

Wickes' parent firm announces that it has acquired the remaining 70% of the issued share capital of Toolstation Limited it does not already own from Mark Goddard-Watts and his family trusts for £24m. 

Colchester wholesaler Wilsons is taking over the customer accounts of Wm Granger, the Leicester wholesaler which ceased trading last month. 

Castle Gardens in Sherborne, Dorset and Barton Grange Garden Centre in Preston, Lancashire to receive accolades at the GCA annual conference in Oxfordshire in January. 

John Lewis has posted its highest-ever weekly sales figure for the week to Saturday, December 17, despite gloomy reports from other retailers on the high street. 

B&Q has promised to beat any price on kitchens and bathrooms in its longest-ever winter sale, which will run from today up until the beginning of March. 

Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture manufacturer Symphony Group has been shortlisted for the Sustainability Award recently launched by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. 

The board of Robert Dyas Holdings Limited has announced that the retailer's chief executive Steve McVey has resigned from the company, less than five months after he was appointed to the role. 

Abus has secured a national distribution agreement with Aldridge Security with effect from January 2012. 

Footfall on UK high streets fell by 2.6% year-on-year last week, according to the latest BRC-Springboard Footfall Monitor. 

Sixty employees have been handed redundancy notices at Beverley Garden Centre in Woodmansey, part of the Garden Centre Group. 

Employee bound and held at gunpoint, while assailant stole cash from the safe at Woburn Sands garden centre on Monday morning. 

Mary Portas unveiled her independent review of the UK's high streets yesterday, with a set of 28 recommendations aimed at reviving our flagging town centres. 

Award was presented to Akzo independent business manager Nick Andrews in recognition of the paint firm's service to Home Hardware's distribution business at Pottington and Bedford. 

Carpetright has reported an £800,000 profit loss in the first half of its financial year, as it continues to navigate a "very challenging trading environment".