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'Cautious' retail sales growth ahead of Christmas

UK retail sales were up 0.7% on a like-for-like basis this September, compared to the same month last year, when they increased 1.5% on 2011. 
8 October 2013

Bolton Homebase to close

The Homebase store in Bolton town centre is to close at the end of next week. 
8 October 2013

Carpetright issues profit warning, parts with CEO

Carpetright chief executive Darren Shapland is stepping down from the role - which he has occupied for less than two years - and from the retailer's board, with immediate effect. 
8 October 2013

Fermoy's to become Blue Diamond's 15th centre

Fermoy's Garden Centre looks set to become Blue Diamond's 15th centre, with the takeover process due to be completed by mid-October, according to property consultancy firm Gilbert Evans. 
7 October 2013

Bonmarché concessions to trial in GCG garden centres

The Garden Centre Group has signed a deal with clothing retailer Bonmarché that will see the latter trial concessions within a number of centres. 
7 October 2013

Garden centre hit-and-run thief sentence is 'a joke'

A Yorkshire garden centre manager has described as "a joke" a sentence handed out to a thief who ran over his pensioner grandfather in his car whilst trying to make a getaway. 
7 October 2013

Two Surrey shops re-launch under Home Hardware identity

A DIY retailer has a new identity after becoming part of the Home Hardware group. 
7 October 2013

Good move for DIY Week Awards

DIY Week is ringing in the changes for its annual awards event, with a new date and a new venue for 2014. 
7 October 2013

Blue Diamond looks to buy Fermoy's Garden Centre

Fermoy's Garden Centre in Devon has said it is in talks about Blue Diamond taking it over. 
4 October 2013

Yale launches animated character for online campaign

As part of its social media and online campaign, Yale has created an animated advice expert character that offers help and tips to its customers. 
4 October 2013

Baking and making boost Lakeland's annual sales

The rise and rise of home baking helped boost 2012 sales at Lakeland 4% to £157.4m. 
3 October 2013

Summer boost for garden centre sales

The HTA has reported that garden centre sales have grown for five consecutive months and that year-to-date sales figures are above the 2012 levels. 
3 October 2013

British Coatings Federation expands its training programme

The British Coatings Federation (BCF) has expanded its training programme by teaming up with a new partner, Vincentz Network, to take the web-based Coatings Training worldwide. 
2 October 2013

Would-be suppliers learn what Lakeland wants

Lakeland director of buying Matthew Canwell revealed to another record audience at BHETA's latest forum what are the retailer's hottest product categories right now. 
2 October 2013

Whitehall Garden Centre's centenarian Phyllis Self dies

Phyllis Self, a former director of Wiltshire's Whitehall Garden Centre, has died at the age of 105. 
2 October 2013

Possible takeover for Fermoy's

Fermoy's Garden Centre in Devon has confirmed that there are talks of it being taken over by a new owner. 
2 October 2013

Critics slam Miliband's business rates plan

Opposition leader Ed Miliband has said a business rates freeze would provide some relief for small businesses, but others say there is much more that needs to be done. 
2 October 2013

Sales surge at Poundland

Sales at Poundland were up 15% to £880 million last year and 51 new stores opened. The company said it also plans to open 1,000 new stores across the UK. 
1 October 2013

CHA announces 2014 independents' cooking day

The Cookshop and Housewares Association has set the date for its next fun-filled CHA Independents Day. 
1 October 2013

Topps Tiles predicts small rise in annual profit

Topps Tiles is expecting to report a marginal rise in profits when it posts its full-year results on November 26. 
30 September 2013
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