Sales dipped well below last year for the week to July 13 at John Lewis, a deficit blamed on the Ashes, Wimbledon and the heatwave - yet DIY and garden retailers up and down the country are rejoicing in a spate of much-needed sales brought on by the soaring mercury. 

Andy King, the former chief executive of Notcutts Garden Centres, is to take on the role of managing director at Dobbies following the shock departure of James Barnes last week. 

Last Sunday saw 15,000 keen runners - and several brightly coloured footguards - brave blistering temperatures to take part in the UK's first ever Color Run, presented by Dulux. 

September 4, 2013, will mark the start of a new era for Decco Manchester as its annual trade show moves to the city's Etihad Stadium. 

A gang will serve a total of over 12 years in jail after committing a series of thefts from branches of Homebase and John Lewis. 

Dunelm Mill, recently revealed as the country's leading homewares retailer, saw sales increase 12.2% to £677.2m for the 52 weeks ending June 29, 2013. 

Loss-making Homebase Ireland - part of Homebase UK and Argos owner Home Retail Group - has entered examinership, it was announced today. 

Bord na Móna UK is sponsoring Moreton Park Garden Centre's Good Enough to Eat show garden at the 126th Shrewsbury Flower Show next month. 

Wallpaper manufacturer Graham & Brown has completed a £3m investment in a new logistics and distribution centre at its Blackburn headquarters to support its online growth. 

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.