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Webbs recognised for its customer service

Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold has been recognised as a business of customer service excellence by the National Skills Academy for Retail. 
11 February 2014

Jobs could be under threat at Endsleigh Garden & Leisure

Jobs could be lost at Endsleigh Garden & Leisure in Ivybridge, near Plymouth, following a proposed review of its management and staffing structure. 
11 February 2014

New research counts financial and personal cost of DIY

Nine out of 10 householders have a go at DIY in their homes - but end up shelling out over £150 a year getting botched jobs fixed by professionals. 
11 February 2014

Dobbies withdraws policy on charging charities to use retail space

Dobbies has withdrawn its plan to charge charities for using space on its shop floors to collect donations after it was questioned over it. 
11 February 2014

Paint sales up for eighth month in a row

Sales in UK construction and manufacturing were up 7% year-on-year in Q4 of 2013 and the decorative and industrial coatings sectors also performed well. 
10 February 2014

Van Hage dismisses rumours about it closing down

Van Hage Garden Centre has made an announcement following speculation that the business might be closing down and the company said these claims are untrue. 
10 February 2014

Shop vacancies fall but north-south divide persists

Last year saw the number of retail and leisure premises vacancies drop from 12.6% to 12.2%, but there remains a widening gap in the fortunes of towns in the north and the south. 
10 February 2014

Retirement forces closure of Lincolnshire hardware store

A Lincolnshire hardware independent has closed its doors for the last time, with the long-time owners now heading for retirement. 
10 February 2014

Research reveals renewed confidence in the retail sector

Britain's retail businesses are gearing up for a positive 2014, as reflected by at least four months of strong optimism about the economy, according to recent findings. 
6 February 2014

New scheme to encourage suppliers to support Garden Re-Leaf Day

The organisers of Garden Re-Leaf Day have revealed a simple way to enable garden product and plant suppliers to get involved before the big day. 
5 February 2014

Homebase LED bulbs energy saving claims were misleading

Homebase has been taken to task by the ad watchdog for misleading consumers over how much they could save on bills by buying LED lighting. 
5 February 2014

BHETA: 'HRG rebate demand not conducive to good relationships'

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) says a new demand by Homebase and Argos for an extra 2% turnover rebate from suppliers is "contrary to our efforts with major retailers, which is to work together". 
5 February 2014

New GCA chair plans to reinvigorate the regions

The Garden Centre Association's (GCA) new chairman has pledged to rejuvenate the organisation's regional groups. 
4 February 2014

Speculation over B&M Stores moving into Bodmin, Cornwall

There have been reports of a possible new B&M store opening in Bodmin in Cornwall that could create 75 jobs in the local area. 
4 February 2014

John Lewis to sponsor Commonwealth Games

John Lewis has been unveiled as the Official Department Store Provider of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. 
3 February 2014

Alesha Dixon is the face of Teal, 2014's Colour of the Year

Dulux has named celebrity Alesha Dixon as the face of its annual Colour of the Year campaign. 
3 February 2014

Family-run DIY shop fears new competition

Family-run DIY business, D&G Short, in Flitwick, Bedfordshire, is under threat following plans for an expansion of the local Tesco store. 
3 February 2014

Turtle Wax to drive new growth strategy

Turtle Wax has announced two new strategic distribution partnerships for its consumer retail products as part of a bold move in the UK car care market. 
31 January 2014

Learn the ingredients for success at the HTA Catering Conference

Workshops tackling key areas for garden retailers who run cafes and restaurants will be at the centre of the HTA Catering Conference in February. 
31 January 2014

The industry loses a popular character

Steve Bood, who was a senior sales manager at Keter, died suddenly last Saturday, January 25, at the age of 54. 
31 January 2014
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