One of two mysterious objects at a Cumbrian ironmongery and hardware shop-cum-museum, this object has been puzzling owners and visitors alike. 

It was a landmark move for Kingfisher-owned Screwfix when the retailer opened its first dedicated DIY store in Shepton Mallet March, and sources say the small-store format is working well so far. 

The ASA has banned an advert for a Miracle-Gro peat-free compost product because it said manufacturers The Scotts Company did not have adequate substantiation for the ad's "best by test" claims. 

Hot on the heals of the sale of Gardening Direct last month, Flying Brands has closed its Growing and Live Despatch Business (GLD), making sixteen Jersey-based staff members redundant. 

Retailers large and small are being invited to enter a nationwide competition to find Britain's best-dressed shop windows. 

Floorcovering and bed retailer Carpetright's sales fell 2.1% in the 12 weeks to July 21. But like-for-like turnover was up 1.7% due to store reductions. 

A man has been jailed for his part in a burglary at Burford Garden Centre. 

The British Retail Consortium Training Academy is to launch a new retail managers' development programme this September. 

Independents selling DIY/hardware and garden machinery were the two star performers in a pretty gloomy Q2 for retailers. 

While this year's weather has proved disastrous for many garden products, new figures show that the rain and snow have also benefited sales within certain garden categories. 

The retailer's new owner, Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis, is strengthening his senior management team across his existing Ryman and Boux Avenue businesses as well as the newly-acquired Robert Dyas. 

Fastening specialist Rapid is to join The European Federation of DIY Manufacturers (Fediyma) as an individual member in August. 

Banks are increasingly cutting credit facilities to independent retailers. And there have been examples where banks are pushing shopkeepers to take out personal loans to cover their business lending. 

A permanent relaxation of the Sunday trading laws may become inevitable sooner rather than later as the current younger generation of shoppers matures. 

The HTA Bedding Plants Group has re-named itself the HTA Seasonal Plants Group, in order to better reflect its product range to a younger generation of gardeners. 

The managing director of Hayes Garden World in Ambleside, Cumbria, has been put behind bars after an appeal over a drink-drive conviction failed. 

The owner and founder of Devon-based Abbotts DIY, Tony Abbott, has passed away following a short illness. 

Insolvency figures in retail have risen sharply, and it is now one of the worst-performing business sectors. 

Thieves who raided Andover Garden Centre were thwarted after being disturbed. 

Year on year sales and orders at high street retailers were up for the third consecutive month in July, according to the CBI. However, the business body noted that "growth slowed to a greater extent than had been expected."