Wickes has reported a 6.8% decline in like-for-like sales for the past eight weeks, according to a trading update released by parent company Travis Perkins today. 

Wickes has opened its first high street store in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, as part of its growing multichannel offer. 

Home and fashion retailer teams up with The Less Packaging Company to launch Packspec as part of its Plan A commitment to reduce packaging on its general merchandise ranges. 

Supermarket giant Tesco has launched a new boiler installation service in partnership with heating company Enact Energy. 

Garden furniture company Hartman UK is set to put two new designs into production created by student designers from Birmingham City University. 

Window coverings and architectural products manufacturer Hunter Douglas has acquired British company Integra for an undisclosed sum. 

Planters Garden Centre has announced that Matthew Ingram, who is sponsored by the company, has been named the Junior Indoor National Champion for under 16s compound archery. 

Independent builders merchant EH Smith was the star in this year's Toolbank Christmas display competition. 

Dog Rocks has announced a distribution agreement with garden products supplier Solus Garden & Leisure. 

Retailers will be hit by additional costs of £350m next year, says the BRC, after the Government confirmed a 5.6% uplift in business rates. 

Glass fibre insulation manufacturer announces it will commence a £6.5m capital expenditure programme at its Stirling manufacturing plant in March next year with completion scheduled for March 2013. 

Homebase stores across the country are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds each for Teenage Cancer Trust in a national Christmas collection fundraiser this weekend. 

Britain's high streets have seen the worst sales growth for six months, with sales values down 1.6% like-for-like last month compared with November last year. 

Bishops Home Hardware in East Sussex has been named Home Hardware Retailer of the Year. 

Swedish home furnishings retailer Ikea has suffered a 3% dip in like-for-like sales for the year to August 31. 

MFI owner Walker Group has bought the Focus DIY brand from administrators Ernst & Young for a reported £300,000. 

A trail of pine needles helped police catch three thieves in the act of stealing more than 100 Christmas trees from Notcutts Garden Centre in Pembury last week. 

Retail profit at B&Q UK & Ireland grew by 20.6% to £46m in the third quarter of its financial year, according to a statement released today by parent company Kingfisher. 

SMEs will be exempt from business rates for a further six months after Chancellor George Osborne extended the rate relief holiday to April 2013 yesterday. 

MFI officially returns to the market today as an online-only home furnishings retailer.