A new product and price comparision website allowing gardeners and DIY consumers to compare the best deals and bargains on tools and equipment available online has been launched this week. 

The latest report from GfK shows an increase in average prices lead to a 2% value growth across decorative categories during the third quarter of 2012 compared with the same period last year, but that "most sectors remain in volume decline." 

Visitors to next February's Ambiente show in Frankfurt will enjoy a preview of style and colour trends in homewares for 2013, within a dedicated display. 

The Horticultural Trades Association's fourth garden centre catering conference will take place on Thursday, February 28 at the Crowne Plaza, Birmingham NEC, and has been designed to epitomise best practice in the lucrative world of garden centre dining. 

The Advertising Standards Authority has ruled in water filter specialist Brita's favour after one of its advertisements was accused of being misleading. 

Town centre vacancies last month hit the highest figure recorded by the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor since the service was first set up in July 2011. 

Comet's administrators announced today that 41 of the electrical chain's stores will be closed by the end of November unless a buyer can be found. 

John Lewis is taking on 80 young apprentices in 2012 in a programme that guarantees employment for all participants when their training is complete. 

An independent DIY retailer in South Shields has told DIY Week he is "disappointed but not surprised" after his appeal for inclusion in a social housing voucher scheme was turned down by South Tyneside council, which is continuing its exclusive partnership with B&Q well into 2013. 

A new campaign called 'Celebrate an Independent Christmas' is taking the country's independent retail community by storm. 

Pets could have a happier Christmas this year than grandparents if last year's festive shopping habits are repeated in 2012. 

Retailers are bracing themselves for a punishing rise in the price of tableware and ceramic kitchenware after the European Commission today announced the immediate imposition of new taxes. 

In yet another shake-up at the top, Robert Dyas chief executive officer Graham Coles is leaving the business - just four months after it was acquired by Theo Paphitis. 

Bodum says it is bringing in an independent risk assessor to test its barbecue grill after the authorities ordered it to be withdrawn from the market. 

The cream of the DIY and garden industry was celebrating at the Deansgate Hilton, Manchester last night, as the top products and retailers were named at the DIY Week Awards. 

The run-up to this Christmas is starting better than last year, and while the pressure is not off consumers, most factors are more positive. 

B&Q's Christmas campaign breaks tomorrow, November 14, the ad aiming to encourage consumers to decorate and titivate their homes in time for the big day. 

Two electrical accessories are amongst the latest products highlighted by authorities as posing a danger to end users. 

A later half term coupled with "distinctly autumnal weather" drove customers into John Lewis stores during the week ending November 3, and today marks the retailer's official debut of its latest Christmas TV advert. 

John Lewis at Home and Waitrose have launched their first joint venture - just two months after Dobbies and Tesco got the go-ahead to trial a similar initiative.