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Sales continue to slide at Topps Tiles

Revenues dropped 1.5% like-for-like during the 13 weeks to June 29, 2013 at Topps Tiles, following on from a 0.2% fall in the company's first half
2 July 2013

Garden centre bolsters weather-proof business with function room

The increasing unpredictability of the weather has persuaded a Cumbrian garden centre to add a completely different dimension to its business - a function room. 
2 July 2013

Dyas owner Theo Paphitis backs Independents' Day

As the countdown continues to the main event this Thursday, former Dragons' Den star and current Robert Dyas owner Theo Paphitis has voiced his support of the 2013 Independents' Day campaign. 
2 July 2013

Rainy Day Trust signs up BMF

The Builders Merchant Federation (BMF) is the latest company to sign up to the Rainy Day Trust's partnership scheme and has added a donation of £4,000 following its recent conference in Portugal. 
2 July 2013

Owners call time on Chippenham ironmonger's

A Wiltshire ironmonger's has closed its doors for the last time, a victim of rising overheads, the loss of local parking facilities and falling sales. 
1 July 2013

Former Grosvenor md loses unfair dismissal case

Former managing director of Grosvenor Garden Centre Iain Wylie has lost a case against Blue Diamond in which he claimed the group had failed to follow a fair process of dismissal. 
1 July 2013

B&Q shakes with Morrisons again over store share

B&Q has struck another deal with Morrisons that will see the DIY retailer shed more selling space. 
1 July 2013

Uttoxeter garden centre welcomes craft concession

Strawberry Garden Centre will be hosting a brand new patchwork, fabric and crafts shop at its Uttoxeter base from Friday, July 5. 
1 July 2013

Topps Tiles to boost web community after competition success

Topps Tiles says its first online competition and web app, launched in February, attracted over 500 entrants and more than 21,000 votes. 
28 June 2013

UPDATE: Dobbies will appeal £75,000 raw sewage fine

Tesco-owned garden centre giant Dobbies will appeal against a hefty fine imposed for allowing sewage from a Cumbrian garden centre to pollute a local waterway. 
28 June 2013

Operating profit almost triples at Carpetright

Group revenue for the UK remained level at Carpetright over the 52 weeks ending April 27, 2013, dropping 15.5% across the rest of Europe, bringing the total group revenue to £457.6m. 
26 June 2013

Employee theft a top concern for retailers

'Insider theft' or theft by employees of stock and/or cash is now among retailers' top three areas of concern, according to a new study released by consultancy Retail Knowledge. 
26 June 2013

'Best paint in the world' ads come under fire

Paint suppliers Farrow & Ball and Marston & Langinger have clashed over the latter's claim to make the best paint in the world. 
26 June 2013

Brits spend almost two months of their lives mowing the lawn

Green fingered enthusiasts spend up to two months of their lives mowing the lawn, according to new research from artificial lawn retailer Grono. 
26 June 2013

QEP announces acquisition of Plasplugs

Tiling and tiling accessories supplier Q.E.P. Co. U.K. Limited completed the purchase of the Plasplugs trade name and other assets of the Plasplugs business on Friday, June 21. 
25 June 2013

Centurion's Ken finally shelves the catalogues

Quite possibly the most senior agent in the hardware industry, Ken Oxley has at last settled down to a well-earned retirement. 
25 June 2013

Which? raps DIY stores over poor gardening advice

Homebase and B&Q have been slammed by Which? Gardening magazine after research revealed a poor quality of staff knowledge about a common gardening problem. 
24 June 2013

Garden-centre-crash drunk driver fined

A drunk driver has been fined for crashing her car into a Norfolk garden centre and causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage. 
24 June 2013

GIMA signs Gyles Brandreth for Awards Dinner

GIMA has named television and radio celebrity Gyles Brandreth as the after-dinner speaker and host for its 2013 GIMA Awards Dinner and Presentation Evening. 
24 June 2013

Seed sales soared in May at GCA garden centres

Despite temperamental weather, sales performed well at GCA garden centres during the month of May, up 15% compared with last year according to the group's Barometer of Trade results. 
24 June 2013
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