Staff from Squire's garden centre in Crawley have been helping local schoolchildren grow plants from seeds that have been in outer space. 

Bad weather and an early Easter has seen sales dip below average when compared to previous years, according to the March 2016 Retail Sales statistics, released yesterday. 

The British Independent Retailers Association (bira) has announced that it has purchased 225a Bristol Road, a 4,000 sq. ft. building at the rear of its present premises in Birmingham, enabling the association to expand its operations on that site. 

Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical are working with the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) to encourage more of its members to attend this year’s shows. 

According to reports, Terra Firma founder and chairman Guy Hands has hired Goldman Sachs to draft a bid for Dobbies Garden Centres. 

Industry stalwart Andy McIndoe is to open his two acre naturalistic garden in aid of industry charity Greenfingers this June. 

An early Easter and chilly weather were blamed for a 3.9% decline in high street footfall in a recent report released by the British Retail Consortium. 

The Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) AGM took place on April 14 at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre, with over 80 members in attendance. 

B&Q has confirmed that its store in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, will close this weekend - more than six months ahead of schedule and resulting in around 50 job losses. 

Adhesives, sealants and decorating brand HIPPO has announced it is supporting Children with Cancer UK as its chosen charity this year. 

Following a full consultation with all members in March the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has declared a neutral position on the EU Referendum. 

A new report from the Local Data Company has shown that the number of short-term vacant units across towns in the UK has increased by 85% during the first quarter of 2016. 

Following the uproar on B&Q's changes to staff wages - in which the retailer pledged to raise basic pay while cutting wages elsewhere - bosses have made the decision to extend compensations which they say will mean most staff are "better off or unaffected". 

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) will be sponsoring an exciting programme of content at this year's Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical Shows, all dedicated to unveiling the latest consumer trends information to retailers, suppliers and the media. 

The fourth Global DIY Summit will welcome a record number of retailer this year, with 260 from 45 countries having signed up to attend the Stockholm event this June. 

Squire's Garden Centre in Long Ditton has a stylish new look, following a £700,000 refurbishment. 

Silverline is once again sponsoring a top British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) team, having won the championship with Jason Plato as team Silverline Chevrolet back in 2010. 

Topps Tiles has joined The Furniture Ombudsman (TFO) which means it has pledged to abide by a Code of Practice to give customers more rights. 

The Range's founder and owner Chris Dawson has reportedly revealed plans to expand the store into Germany. 

Tesco boss Dave Lewis has started the process of selling Dobbies Garden Centres as part of a clear out of "loss-making businesses", according to a Sky News report.