Praktiker, Germany's third-largest DIY chain, has filed for insolvency, a victim of mounting losses and the withdrawal of short-term credit guarantees by its banks. 

Three new modules have been added to the GCA's e-learning initiative Garden Retail Online Workshops (GROW). 

French mail order supplier Manutan Group has acquired Ironmongery Direct, the UK's largest specialist distributor of ironmongery for the trade. 

Dobbies chief executive James Barnes has left the Tesco-owned chain after 23 years, joined by finance director Sharon Brown. 

Home furniture saw a boost at John Lewis last week, with the outdoor living category seeing a 66% increase thanks to the hot weather. 

Rumours are abound that the Garden & Leisure chain is up for sale - and the Garden Centre Group is frontrunner to buy the seven centre business. 

The seeds market has seen a welcome boost thanks to a much-needed respite from the chilly start to the growing season, according to the latest from GfK. 

Major changes are taking place ahead of the 2014 Glee exhibition, including a migration to halls 17 - 20 at the NEC. 

Retail sales values were up 1.4% like-for-like in June this year compared with the same month last year, a total year-on-year increase of 2.9%. 

B&Q owner Kingfisher has finally triumphed in a French court over a decade-old tax quarrel worth £145m to the company. 

The northern-based Better Bathrooms chain is planning UK-wide expansion after securing a £10m injection of capital from Business Growth Fund. 

Bents Home & Garden has launched an initiative called The Great Plant Experiment to find out whether plants respond to voices and emotions. 

Thousands of small retailers from more than 120 towns and cities up and down the UK got into the spirit of Independents' Day on July 4. 

The owners of a Norfolk hardware shop have successfully sold it on as a going concern. 

The owner of Highgate Garden Centre in north London has announced that the business will close its doors for the last time this month. 

Online sales in the home and garden categories took a big hit this spring, with the bad weather seeing consumers focus instead on products delivering a personal feel-good factor. 

Garden storage products have proved to be star performers this year within the overall garden structures category - which is itself delivering respectable sales. 

The Garden Industry Manufacturers Association revealed it has seen a 9% uplift in entries to its annual awards this year, with particular increases in plant categories and pet and aquatics. 

DIY and gardening retail saw growth of 12% in May 2013 versus May 2012, according to the latest research by GfK, making the sector the 'key to growth' for retail durables. 

Sales increased by an impressive 19% at Home Hardware, after retailers collectively distributed over one million Spring DIY and housewares brochures and leaflets.