According to Ebay, this weekend is the starting gun for Bank holiday spending and a huge opportunity for brands to grab share of wallet, as consumers shop online for DIY and entertainment items a week early. 

The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) says growth in the number of independent shops is "becoming vanishingly slender", as new figures show openings continuing to fall. 

Topps Tiles said today in a trading statement that business had been "encouraging" in its first half, delivering further growth in sales. 

With Wyevale Garden Centres (WGC) having already sold 100,000 fresh daffodils this month and donating a percentage of sales to Marie Curie's Great Daffodil Appeal, the charity is in line for a bumper handout. 

Dulux has today launched the shortlist for its third annual Let's Colour Awards, which celebrate the most innovative uses of colour across Britain's creative industries and events. 

Garden landscape supplier Kelkay has launched a new app designed to enhance its service to retailers. 

Robotic lawnmower company Robomow has announced a new partnership with the UK electricals retailer that will see its products stocked online and in store. 

Kingfisher's proposed acquisition of Mr Bricolage was thrown into doubt today after it emerged that board members and major shareholders of the French DIY chain have misgivings about the deal. 

The PetQuip association is staging its PetQuip Awards again this year, in association with this September's PATS show at its new venue in Telford. 

Topps Tiles has forged a new charity partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, pledging five years of fundraising for the national cancer charity. 

Travis Perkins celebrated the rollout of its new Range Centres with a visit to the Tilbury, Essex site from Chancellor George Osborne. 

Next says it is looking to open at least eight more of its successful Home and Fashion stores over the next few years. 

Sir Ian Cheshire is expected to receive payments of over £3m from B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher, of which he was until January this year chief executive. 

This weekend saw the launch of a new TV advertising campaign from Topps Tiles, which is adopting a more brand-led approach to its marketing. 

Home and hardware products manufacturer Threesixty Innovation successfully relocated the business this month, moving from Nottinghamshire to Derbyshire and upsizing from 14,000sq ft premises to nearly 70,000sq ft. 

A North Yorkshire garden centre is looking forward to a boost in business as it prepares to open a new extension. 

The mouldable glue, which was named DIY Week's DIY Product of the Year last month, will be stocked in Wyevale garden centres across the UK from May. 

Homebase parent Home Retail Group has announced the appointment of Tesco's Echo Lu as managing director for Homebase, replacing Paul Loft. 

Screwfix's third Screwfix Live trade and DIY show will once again be run in partnership with Totally Shows organiser Brintex. 

Twenty Beaver Scouts from Hereford are well on the way to achieving their Global Challenge Badge thanks to a donation from a plant nursery in the city.