Homebase parent reveals plans to call time on its UK homewares trial format, closing all four HomeStore & More stores by the end of February. 

Strong pre-Christmas sales of National Garden gift vouchers and the new gift card will coax more customers into garden centres and nurseries in coming months, says the HTA. 

The British homewares retailer reported sales reaching £299.9m in the 26 week period to December 2011, which its attributes to the group's continued development programme. 

Following on from the 36% drop in revenue reported at the end of its last financial year, Topps Tiles' latest interim management statement has revealed that its financial position is unchanged after what it describes as a "tough" first quarter. 

Brushware supplier is listed in The Telegraph's rundown of 1,000 mid-sized firms that it feels have "weathered the recession and are set to be the foundation of the UK's recovery". 

PPG Architectural Coatings - the second largest supplier of Paint and sundry products - has signed up for the Rainy Day Trust's Partnership scheme. 

A record year of new store openings has helped fuel Pets at Home's sales growth for the first half ended September 2011. 

According to Gazette listings the number of retailers who have fallen into administration over the past year has gone from 165 to 183 - and financial experts predict worse to come in Q1 2012. 

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.