DIY was one of the top two beneficiaries of a strong upturn in consumer spending in April, according to the latest report from the Visa Europe UK Expenditure Index. 

An independent carpenter and joiner from Chessington, Surrey is the owner of a new Vauxhall Vivaro van, courtesy of DeWalt. 

Irish DIY retail chain Woodie's enjoyed modest revenue growth in the first four months of this year, parent Grafton Group revealed today. 

A garden centre near Bradford is looking for a dramatic increase in turnover following its sale by the owner. 

G Plants, the supplier of seeds, bulbs, garden ornaments and giftware, has moved into a new 50,000sq ft facility, comprising office space, warehousing and showroom. 

A builder from Stoke-on-Trent has won a new Ford Ranger pick-up truck worth £29,599 in Toolstation's Winter Bonanza prize draw. 

The Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) has signed up 11 more members since the beginning of the year - adding to the 20 companies that joined last year. 

A Northumberland garden centre has been given the go-ahead to expand its offer of clothing and footwear. 

Jeyes has launched a new radio campaign this month in a bid to encourage Brits to get outside and enjoy their outdoor spaces this summer. 

Wholesaler Stax Trade Centres announced at its supplier conference yesterday that it has invested £5m into opening a sixth branch in Glasgow at the end of August. 

To mark its 275th anniversary - making it the second oldest family-run firm in Yorkshire - hand tool manufacturer Richard Carter is announcing significant growth plans. 

Halls Greenhouses has been declared Best Greenhouse/Polytunnel brand in Grow Your Own magazine's Great British Growing Awards. 

UK golfer Paul Broadhurst is to host this year's GIMA golf day, joining players on the course and acting as compere for the prize giving and auction in the evening. 

Aggregates manufacturer and distributer Kelkay will invest over £1m in new machinery and the addition of two new sales executives in a bid to continue to grow sales and market share. 

The Dulux Let's Colour Awards has crowned Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red - last year's poppy installation at the Tower of London - as Britain's Colour Moment of the Year. 

Eden Halls Greenhouses' new Eden range of greenhouses has been declared Best New Product at the Gardenia Garden and Landscape Fair in Poland, beating 250 other entrants. 

B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher has donated £25,000 to UNICEF UK to support the aid effort for children following the recent earthquake in Nepal. 

Thursday's general election is currently at the forefront of independents' minds, reveals new research from the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA). 

Somerset-based manufacturer Silverline has been appointed official tool supplier to the Red Bull Soapbox Race this summer. 

Hardware and DIY retailers reported the strongest sales growth since November 2013, up 61% in the year to April, according to the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) latest Distributive Trades Survey.