The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is calling on government to exempt garden centres from what it calls the "outdated" 1994 Sunday Trading Act. 

EnviroProducts, the company behind the E-cloth no-chemicals cleaning range, has joined the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA). 

A joint venture aimed at revitalising the retail grow-your-own (GYO) propagation market has been launched by Desch Plantpak and Crest Garden - the new company created by former Solus managing director Nick Davies. 

Grafton Group, which operates builder's merchants and DIY businesses, has acquired Direct Builders Merchants. 

BIRA Direct, the buying arm of the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), significantly increased sales for the trading months of June and July. 

The Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) will announce the winner of its £5,000 Innovators' Seed Corn Fund at next week's Glee. 

The total washout that much of the country suffered on last week's Bank Holiday generated a big boost in householders looking to carry out home improvements. 

Organisers confirm that the 2015 Totally Shows have already sold nearly 60% of their exhibition space to new and returning exhibitors. 

Private equity firm Terra Firma Capital Partners is considering selling Wyevale, formerly the Garden Centre Group, just two years after buying the business, it has been reported today. 

Grafton Group, the builders merchanting and DIY business, achieved higher sales and profit in the six months to June 30 2014, helped by an improved performance from the Irish Woodie's DIY. 

Argos has unveiled Heart of House, its first homewares and furniture own brand, with a multi-million pound campaign, kicking off with TV advertising yesterday, Bank Holiday Monday, and running across press, digital, social and PR. 

The new series of The Great British Bake Off is sending sales of baking equipment soaring as home bakers try to recreate the popular television show's creations. 

Companies in the gift industry, particularly those in festive and garden sectors, are already gearing up for Harrogate Christmas & Gift, with the show reporting very little space left for the January 2015 event. 

Housewares and DIY products wholesaler United Housewares Merchants has been wound up. 

Homebase's St Austell branch is the latest to join the growing list of the retailers' stores earmarked for closure. 

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) says efforts to improve turnout at its regional meetings is paying off. 

Tool firm Olympia is launching a new mobile showroom, which will tour the UK and Ireland to help the firm reach as many stockists as possible. 

DIY skills are dying out, according to new research, which shows confidence in undertaking many home improvement tasks is lowest among young people. 

The strong garden centre sales of recent months continued into July, according to new figures from The Garden Centre Association (GCA). 

The market for water-saving plumbing products has enjoyed growth since 2013, following a flat period between 2009 and 2012.