Economic uncertainty and lack of mortgage finance led to a decline in the number of property sales over the past three months. 

Homebase is testing several new ranges and services as part of its strategy to become 'first for decorating'. 

Kingfisher group to plough £115m into opening nine new Castorama home improvement stores over next two years. 

Homebase has launched 'Create the Look' touch screens at its Aylesford branch to help customers visualise different products in their homes. 

Solus garden tool brand Yeoman is celebrating its 21st anniversary with a Guinness World Record attempt. 

DIY Week is delighted to add the Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) to a growing list of sponsors for the 2011 DIY Week Awards. 

Retailers are cutting their losses and closing older and poor performing outlets in secondary locations, in a bid to boost sales and footfall in a continuing tough climate. 

Like-for-like sales held flat at Homebase for the first half of 2011, but slumped 9.1% at sister chain Argos. 

Non-food shop price inflation increased to 1.4% in August from 1.3% in July, the first increase since May, driven by accelerating inflation in the DIY, gardening and hardware category. 

UK consumers spent £38.7bn on the home and garden in 2010, according to new data from the Mintel British Lifestyles 2011 report. 

Retailer plans to redefine its home assortment and bring decorating ranges and home accessories together to create a one-stop shop, complete with room sets and 'create the look' cards in store. 

UK retail sales values fell 0.6% like-for-like in August, against a 1% rise in August 2010, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. 

Wickes has launched a new business information website for tradesmen, providing industry-specific advice and guidance. 

BHETA members were given a unique opportunity to meet buyers from Homebase last week, in a special 'meet the buyers' day organised as part of BHETA's new 'Drive for Growth' initiative. 

B&Q UK & Ireland ceo Martyn Phillips has announced two appointments to the B&Q board. 

Like-for-like sales figures are worst for two years, says BDO, as mid-market retailers report a year-on-year sales drop of 2.2% , with home and non-fashion badly hit. 

Coventry-based tool distributor Buck & Hickman has been acquired from owner Travis Perkins by industrial distribution group Brammer for £27.6m. 

Next has revealed plans to open more home and garden stores after the format's successful debut in Shoreham, and is already scoping out possible locations. 

Speciality chemicals brand keen to grow its UK market share and expand the DIY side of its business to reach smaller hardware stores. 

Hillier md Andy McIndoe confirms Redditch garden centre will be under new management from early September. It is understood former Webbs chief exec Boyd Douglas-Davies' Hill View Group is behind the acquisition.