London department store Harrods has been sold to Qatar Holding, the Qatari royal family's investment company, in a deal reported to be worth £1.5bn. 

UK retail sales values fell 2.3% last month compared with 2009, with housewares below year-earlier levels but DIY showing strong signs. 

Small firms lack confidence in the economy after last week's election results, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. 

BDO reports mixed sales for the month, with non-fashion down 3.2% but DIY boosted by good weather. 

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has called for MPs to put aside their differences and create a functioning administration as quickly as possible after last week's general election result. 

Department store chain reports sales increase in barbecues and garden furniture on the web, boosted by "recent hint of summer". 

Sir Paul McCartney revealed he likes to shop in B&Q in a recent interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 

The 12-week consultation period launched by Defra to discuss implementation of the EU Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides came to an end on May 4. 

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Beam Group has joined the growing list of big-name sponsors of next week's Product of the Year Awards. 

DIY Week has teamed up with retail analyst GfK to launch a new market monitor for the home improvement sector. 

Swedish retailer Clas Ohlson opened its sixth and seventh stores last week, in Liverpool and Leeds. 

Despite €25m sales drop in January due to severe weather, UK trading improves with like-for-like growth in recent months. 

B&Q's new trade counter division TradePoint has launched the 'Whistle While You Work' campaign to get Britain's builders whistling again. 

The retail chain has announced it will offer a new national next day delivery service covering its entire product range. 

Poundland has been bought be US private equity firm Warburg Pincus in a deal believed to be worth around £200m. 

Overall shop price inflation rose to 2% last month, as seasonal promotions come to an end and commodity prices soar. 

JML Direct has had its knuckles rapped by the ASA over a television advertisement for its Magic Carpet mat. 

Home products retail chain Cargo has announced its withdrawal from garden centre concessions after trials failed to live up to expectations. 

Top Drawer Home is the latest high-profile name to add its support to the Product of the Year Awards 2010.