Topps Tiles plc has reported that trading in its third quarter has improved in its trading update for the 13 weeks to July 3, 2010. 

Glee has unveiled details of several new visitor attractions at this year's show, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham on September 20-22. 

UK retail sales values rose 1.2% on a like-for-like (lfl) basis in June, compared to the same month last year, according to the latest report from the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. 

Builders merchants and DIY group Grafton Group plc has reported group turnover of around €980m for the six months to June 30, 2010. 

Ransons Family Garden Centre opened its doors on Monday, July 5. 

Best Buy's ceo for branded operations Paul Antoniadis has left the company less than three months after the opening of its first UK store. 

Home sales were up 12% at John Lewis for the week to July 3, 2010, as customers returned to the shops after England's demise in the World Cup. 

Focus will target urban infill areas and the UK's high streets with a new smaller 'convenience' DIY store format. 

Pacific Market International (PMI), manufacturer of food and beverage brands Aladdin and Stanley, has partnered up with UK distributor Burton McCall. 

Leading non-food e-tailer ventures into the grocery market with the launch of its new site www.amazon.co.uk/grocery. 

Arthur Clemson, co-founder of Toolbank, passed away on June 5, aged 91. Here, he is remembered by his son, current Toolbank md Steve Clemson. 

UK sales up 4.8% , with general merchandise and home putting in a strong performance but M&S chief exec is cautious about consumer confidence following the budget. 

Independent garden centre group Notcutts has launched its first e-commerce site, with more than 2,000 products listed. 

United Utilities announces it will impose a hosepipe ban in the north west of England – the first in the area for 14 years – as reservoir levels remain low. 

An episode of 'Mary Queen of Shops' which features retail guru Mary Portas filming at Totally DIY 2010 is set to air on Monday, July 12 on BBC2 at 9pm. 

The IMRG/Hitwise Hot Shops List celebrates its fourth anniversary, looking at how e-tail market leaders are doing, in terms of attracting visitors to their sites, while DIY retailers move up in the rankings. 

Survey reveals that more than half of companies in the capital are optimistic about future prospects, with expansion plans on the horizon but concerns are raised over the cost of doing business in London. 

Travis Perkins has confirmed that an agreement has been reached on its proposal to take over plumbing and heating merchant The BSS Group. 

LG Harris has announced an agreement to acquire the Lynwood decorating sundries brand for an undisclosed sum. 

Almost 400 guests joined the Garden Industry Manufacturers Association at the Manchester Midland Hotel last Thursday (July 1) to celebrate the 2010 GIMA Awards and to toast the winners.