US private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) have acquired a "significant stake" in discount retailer B&M in a deal rumoured to have valued the retailer at more than £900m. 

Eight men who used the car park of Squires Garden Centre in Windsor, Berkshire, for multi-million pound class A drugs deals have been jailed for a total of 59 years after a large-scale police drugs swoop. 

The Horticultural Trades and Garden Centre Associations are to share premises at Theale, Reading, from February 1, 2013. 

The cost of retail crime this year is estimated at £1bn, up 3.4% and £33m on last year. 

Two-thirds of MPs are backing a demand for a freeze on business rates next year - and it is supported equally by Conservative and Labour MPs. 

Poundworld says difficult trading conditions on the high street are giving the retailer the chance to snap up stores cheaply, as it continues its ambitious store expansion programme. 

Home safety products supplier Sprue Aegis has once again been recognised as one of Britain's 100 top-performing private companies in this year's Sunday Times Fast Track 100 league table. 

B&Q will partner Sentebale, a children's charity founded by Prince Harry and Prince Deeiso of Lesotho, at next year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with a garden designed by landscape designer Jinny Blom. 

The directors of kitchenware and former ironmongery supplier Kitchen Craft - Andrew Plant, Richard Plant and Peter Bushell - have announced the passing of John Plant on November 22, aged 84, after a long battle with cancer. 

Building on the success of its previous Meet the Buyer days, the British Home Enhancement Trade Association's recent event with John Lewis produced "some wonderful results", according to the retailer. 

With trade in wood from illegal or controversial sources still going on, new good practice guidance to support industry efforts in responsible sourcing and sustainable forest management has been issued. 

As 'Cyber Monday' heralds the peak of online Christmas shopping sales, retail experts are predicting mobile transactions to increase ten-fold this year. 

With overall wood-care sales down almost £17m year on year between January and October, it is clear that 2012 has been a difficult time for the market. 

Kingfisher has announced its third quarter trading results, revealing an overall sales slide of 2.8% like-for-like, settling current revenue at £2.7bn. B&Q UK and Ireland saw sales decline 2.3% to £906m, a dip of 4% LfL, but retail profit was boosted by 1.7% due to higher gross margins. 

Home improvement chain yesterday showcased an £800,000 refit of its store in Ruislip, with learnings from its newly revamped Aylesford branch, and the introduction of its first Habitat mini store. 

In the wake of Morrisons and Asda bosses campaigning for longer Sunday trading hours on December 23, independent retailers are divided on whether they would open longer in the hopes of cashing in on last minute purchases, or give their staff the time to themselves. 

Sixteen Travis Perkins branches across the North of England have been earmarked for the roll out o a dedicated tool hire brand called Hire It. 

The Valspar Corporation, which owns PlastiKote among other paint brands, has announced a strategic partnership with B&Q which will see the DIY giant supply a full selection of premium Valspar paints in every store. 

First prize in this year's Home Hardware Christmas window dressing competition has been scooped by the Sutton-on-Sea, Lincolnshire store Watson Home Hardware. 

Dobbies revealed plans this week to build a new £8m Garden World in Harrogate, which, it says, would be a 'state-of-the-art horticultural centre of excellence'.