JML partners with ITV to launch a new retail TV format called 'The Store with JML,' – a UK first on a mainstream channel where viewers can buy products. 

BHETA has partnered with Thomson Local Directories to give its members the chance to build databases specific to their requirements. 

...Yet 56% saw some improvement, albeit small, compared with the same period 12 months ago, according to a review of the shop vacancy rate during 2012's first quarter by the Local Data Company. 

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), more than 35,000 members of retail staff suffered physical or verbal abuse last year, leading the retail association to publish a new guide on what is being done - and what more it thinks should be done - to tackle the problem. 

The British wallcovering brand, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, was sold to Erfurt MAV for an undisclosed sum last month. 

A pink rose created in the memory of a teenager who lost her life to cancer aged 19 is going on general sale for the first time in Homebase stores this week. 

DIY and hardware selling members of the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) reported Q1 2012 sales were up by over 3% on Q1 2011, bettering the Q4 2011's +2.9% figure. 

The retail leg of Travis Perkins Plc, including Wickes and Tile Giant, revealed a like-for-like sales drop of 5.2% during the 17 weeks to April 30, but the figure was boosted to -2.6% when counting the newly-acquired Toolstation. 

The Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) is appealing to all suppliers of products which are sold, or could be sold, through any garden retail channels, DIY and/or hardware stores, builders merchants and garden centres to enter the 2012 awards. 

A customer who bought a kitchen table on the final day of Harvey's '8 Day Sale' in January complained to the ASA when the furniture retailer ran a further promotion offering an additional 10% off selected products the very next day. 

A Powys-based garden centre will be expanding this summer to help cope with the growing demand from retail and catering customers. 

Reacting to the Queen's speech, the director general of the British Retail Consortium Stephen Robertson said the outlined policies won't allow retailers to contribute effectively to economic growth. 

In what the business described as a "controversial decision", Beckworth Emporium in Mears Ashby has announced it will close its doors on Monday, June 4 and Tuesday, June 5 to allow staff to enjoy Diamond Jubilee festivities with family and friends. 

The two Home Retail Group businesses raised the landmark amount in just 21 months, smashing through their initial fundraising target of £2.5m for the group's official partner charity Teenage Cancer Trust. 

Retail sales value were down 3.3% like-for-like for April 2012 compared with April 2011 according to the British Retail Consortium, with the poor weather hitting outdoor products particularly hard 

The continued squeeze on household budgets and a subdued housing market have been blamed for the lowest level of DIY expenditure in 15 years, as revealed by a recent report by Lloyds TSB. 

In a deal worth £0.8m, Garden Bird Supplies, Garden Centre Online and the Listen2 businesses have all been sold by Flying Brands to home entertainment distributor MBL Group plc. 

It's historically been heralded the 'Bank Holiday of DIY' and major retailers B&Q, Homebase, Wickes and even Argos are all vying for a slice of the action with promotions, deals and exclusive offers this May Day Bank Holiday. 

After Bayer's TV ads received a good reception from retailers and gardeners, the firm has decided to extend the high profile campaign and run the commercials throughout the May and Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday weekends. 

The retailer reported the strongest sales performance in over three years for its last quarter, up 10% year-on-year.