According to the latest high street sales tracker from the BDO, retailers suffered the worst February in two years, with sales falling 1.7% compared with last February. 

Wickes' parent company Travis Perkins has released its financial results for 2015, with its consumer businesses - comprising Wickes and Toolstation - growing 8% throughout the year. 

Small garden centres without cafés are being offered the chance to trial automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines this spring to show how they can boost customer spend. 

The Tillington Group - of which members include Scotsdales, Squires, Hayes and Webbs garden centres - is celebrating breaking through the £200m turnover barrier. 

The next British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) forum will take place on March 14 and will feature a range of speakers relevant to independent retail. 

Homebase's new owner Wesfarmers has culled a large proportion of the retailer's management team, according to reports. 

Some of the UK's best-known DIY retailers appear in a new top 10 list of 'alternative superbrands'. 

Disruption has impacted many global industries including the home improvement sector - and delegates at this year's Global DIY Summit will be able to hear much more about this new phenomenon. 

Tile Giant has selected Lichfield as the location for its first standalone warehouse. 

February saw the launch of the Topps Tiles Trade Roadshow programme for 2016 with the first event being held at their Watford store on Imperial Park. 

A new report from the British Retail Consortium has warned that changes in shoppers' habits - namely the rise of online shopping - means one million retail workers are at risk of losing their jobs over the next ten years. 

Australian retailer Wesfarmers confirmed today that it has completed the £340m purchase of Homebase. 

Shareholders of Home Retail Group formally approved the sale of Homebase to Australian retailer Wesfarmers today. 

Squire's garden centre head office in Bagshot Lea recently raised £850 for local charity Post 19. 

Garden Wise Plant and Garden Centre is aiming to raise £5,000 for the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal 2016. 

Independent DIY store JB Banks, named for the father and son who opened the store in 1836, is celebrating 180 years in business - despite several bumps in the road along the way. 

Bob Hewitt, the outgoing chief executive of Klondyke Group, and Derek Bunker, owner of Alton Garden Centre, will both be speaking to delegates at the next Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) Day Conference. 

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association's (BHETA) next Meet the Buyer day will be held with Wilko. 

UK supermarket giant Sainsbury's has been given three weeks to decide whether it will offer a bid to counter Steinhoff's £1.42bn proposal for Argos. 

Carl Kammerling International has relocated its north west marketing office from Manchester Business Park to Daresbury Park in Cheshire, to accommodate future growth plans.