In yet another twist in the long-running Dobbies and Tesco saga, it has emerged that ceo James Barnes has sold his shares in the garden centre. 

Paint giant sweetens its offer the British company with a £8 billion indicative bid 

Tesco has upped the ante in its bid to gain control of Dobbies by raising its stake in the company as it seeks to win over shareholders. 

Despite the poor weather of May and June, the second quarter of 2007 has continued to see positive growth in the diy superstore market, the latest research from GfK finds. 

Sigma Kalon has expressed its delight at the offer tendered for the company, saying it is 'extremely happy with this exciting opportunity'. 

Wolf-Garten's investment in lawn care market research has lead it to develop a lawnmower range – Hybrid Power – that, the business says, builds on consumers' desire to have green, lightweight and quiet mowers. 

ICI - Britain's Takeover Panel has given the Dutch conglomerate Akzo Nobel until Thursday August 9 to conclude terms with ICI, while trader talk has left stock markets expecting further news of Tesco's bid, and Sir Tom Hunter's countermoves, for Dobbies. 

Pittsburgh-based PPG has offered £1.5 ($3.3) billion including debt for the SigmaKalon Group. 

Decco have announced the appointment of Andy Birrell as manager at the Decco Copsey business in Ipswich. 

Best Value Conservatories Ltd has acquired the business and assets of LLP (formerly known as Laird Lifestyle Products) for an undisclosed sum. 

The Office of Fair Trading has today cleared Tesco's proposed takeover of Dobbies Garden Centres. 

Garden sector buyers can add a new name to their contact listings with the introduction of Monro Brands. 

Homeowners willing to undertake green diy work to make their properties more energy efficient should be rewarded with tax rebates, says Friends of the Earth. 

Tuesday's half year trading update for Woolworths showed the high street retailer benefiting from good performances in the Big Red Book, the Worth It range and 'indoor' products. 

William Sinclair Holdings has increased its shareholding in Freeland, a green waste recycling business, from 50% to 87.5%. 

Akzo Nobel faces shareholder rebellion; Beale sells up; John Lewis sees yet another storming week 

Travis Perkins has reported sales growth of 6.3% for its retail division following investment in new ranges and initiatives to attract trade customers. 

Plasti-kote, part of the Valspar Corporation, has said a recent £500,000 investment in a consumer advertising campaign has paid huge dividends. 

The Norfolk-based supplier of plants to UK supermarkets, Suttons Horticulture, has called in the administrators for it and its subsidiary, PA Moerman. 

Analyst raises concerns over the Home shopping group Flying Brands, which specialises in gifts, gardening and entertainment products.