Non-food sales remained static last month with small gains in DIY and garden, while discounts to try and stimulate growth continue to eat into retailers' margins. 

DIY retail giant B&Q has teamed up with social housing provider Home Group in a pilot scheme aimed at improving the DIY skills of its tenants through voucher, free course and rent holiday incentives. 

The John Lewis Partnership's financial results for the year ending January 28, 2012, revealed the group's operating profit declined by £37.7m to £393.3m, impacted by heavy investment in store openings and new initiatives. 

The Irish group, which owns Woodie's DIY and Atlantic Homecare, revealed that underlying operating were profits up 13% to €54.7m for the year, but that sales in its retail division dropped by 4.7% to €219.7m. 

The candle maker and supplier has appointed Junction Eighteen as its new distributor for garden centres and retail channels. 

Mica DIY members joined some of the industry's leading suppliers for a day and evening of 'slow dating' style networking, awards and entertainment last weekend. 

The Mica DIY member and supplier awards, held at the Mercure Bristol Holland House hotel last weekend, saw Stax Trade Centres walk away with the Supplier of the Year award for the second year running. 

Duck Tape has announced its first ever investment into an extensive TV advertising campaign in the UK. 

There was a real buzz in the halls as Eisenwarenemesse, the biannual Cologne hardware show, opened its doors yesterday (March 4). 

Dormole, the parent company of Toolbank, has made its third acquisition in less than three years with the takeover of the fixings supplier ForgeFix 

Following the news that current CEO Matt Davies will be leaving Pets at Home after 10 years, the retailer has announced the new appointment of Nick Wood, former boss at DSG International (now Dixons Retail). 

An 18-inch long 'hatchling' python has reportedly been swiped from Dobbies Garden World in Stirling. 

Planning permission has been granted for a new garden centre at Wilmslow, following the devastating fire last June. 

Two Westcountry garden centres 50 miles apart both fell victim to very similar-style break-ins within hours of one another last weekend. 

Today sees the release of a 40” TV commercial from the retail giant, designed to appeal to female customers, who make up 61% of what the retailer describes as “the home enhancement market.” 

The ASA has ruled in favour of the Kingfisher-owned retailer after the Home Retail Group challenged an email advert for a '15% off everything' B&Q voucher. 

The business organisation has released its Distributive Trades Survey results for the first two weeks of February, which saw overall retail sales "stabilise." 

Homewise Hardware of Portchester, Hampshire, celebrated its new identity with a two-day special event on February 17-18. 

A new report by market research company Key Note estimates the industry has grown by 2.1% since 2010, and the firm predicts its value will hit £1bn by 2015. 

Hardware distributor Avocet Hardware has been bought out of administration by the owners of Eliza Tinsley.