House prices in the UK will see an average increase of 3% over the course of next year, bolstered by recent changes to Stamp Duty, continuing demand and lack of supply of property, according to the RICS housing forecast for 2015. 

In 2013, the DIY/Home Improvement World Market turnover reached approximately €399 billion, according to Fediyma's World DIY Report. 

Home department store group Leekes delivered significant sales and profitability growth in the first six months of its financial year. 

The Gardenex export federation has arranged a stand discount for its members wishing to exhibit at Dubai's Outdoor Design & Build Show in April. 

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has named three more speakers at its conference in January. 

Electrical products are increasingly being sourced online, both by contractors and end users, and as such the outlook for distribution via this type of channel remains positive. 

Britain's biggest consumer home event, the Ideal Home Show is to return to its original roots at Olympia London in March 2015. 

Grafton Group has acquired Crescent Building Supplies, an independent supplier of building materials trading from four branches in Ruislip, Hillingdon, Uxbridge and Maidenhead. 

Members of buying and marketing organisation Choice Marketing attending their recent AGM heard that membership continues to grow, and that solid supplier relationships had been established following 2014's disruption in supply. 

Judging has taken place and the list of silver winners in the 2015 DIY Week Awards can now be revealed. 

Independent retailers dominated the window display category in Toolbank's festive 2014 XMS promotion display competition - reflecting the fact that nearly all independent retailers have display windows, whereas most builders merchants do not, says Toolbank. 

The Boards of EDRA, fediyma and ghin have announced that James (Jim) W. Inglis has been selected to receive the Global DIY Lifetime Award for his unparalleled contribution to the global home improvement industry. 

Hertfordshire garden centre Van Hage's plans for a joint development with Waitrose have been thrown into disarray. 

Thirteen Garden Centre Association (GCA) members have been named as having the best Christmas displays in their regions. 

Rothley, the Wolverhampton-based supplier of DIY and hardware products, has supplied local builders merchant Carvers Building Supplies with a full range of products as part of its redevelopment following a serious fire. 

Opportunities offered by exporting, online shopping, app-based selling tools, media events and marketing and charity initiatives generated enthusiastic interest from garden product suppliers at last month's Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) day conference. 

Eastbourne hardware shop Trend DIY is anticipating a very merry Christmas, having experienced an unexpected new lease of life following a devastating fire this year. 

Gardenex, the export federation for the garden and leisure industry, is to organise British pavilions at two major overseas exhibitions next year. 

Ecommerce tool specialist Toolstop has partnered with V12 Retail Finance to offer its customers more options when making online purchases. 

Staff at Coulsdon Home Hardware are celebrating after the shop was pronounced the winner of this year's Home Hardware Christmas window dressing competition.