Newly-launched GreenPlantSwap will act as a new location-based online marketplace to help nurseries reach gardeners via the web without the hassle of setting up their own site. 

Partners will each walk away with a 17% bonus - almost nine weeks' pay - after John Lewis Partnership announced a 9.3% boost in annual gross sales, the retailer said today. 

Bed retailer dreams has entered a pre-pack administration, with 90 stores earmarked for closure and 400 jobs culled. 

Adhesive and sealants firm saw sales rise 5.8% to 16,510m Euros in 2012, with operating profit up 15% 

The second Global DIY Summit will be taking place in Rome this June, with guest speakers from the country's leading DIY and home improvement brands. 

The historic Devon-based manufacturer Axminster Carpets finally collapsed into administration yesterday, a move which the company described as unavoidable. 

Retailers have been given a welcome confidence boost this morning with the news that last month's retail sales enjoyed the strongest growth for three years. 

Waitrose is looking to extend its presence in the horticultural products market by trialling a small garden centre. 

Homewares department store Debenhams suffered a significant drop in like-for-like sales during the last two weeks of January as heavy snow kept shoppers from the high street. 

Next is to take its Home and Garden format into the south east for the first time when it opens its third store later this year in Camberley. 

German security products producer and distributor Burg-Wachter today announced the acquisition of Sterling Locks - a deal described by the Leeds-based company as "very positive and exciting". 

The dealer-owned wholesaler celebrated its 30th anniversary with its first ever members' conference at Airth Castle Hotel over the weekend of February 23-24. 

Just weeks after his contract ended with B&Q, celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh has joined forces with John Lewis Partnership supermarket Waitrose to help launch new horticulture and gardening ranges. 

During 2012 an average of 20 multiple retailers closed down everyday on the high street, according to new research from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Local Data Company. 

The first two weeks of February saw sales volumes continue to strengthen, but the pace of growth slowed for the third consecutive month, according to the latest CBI distributive trades survey. 

The latest company to sign up with the British Home Enhancement Trades Association is kitchen tools and gadgets supplier Uutensil. 

An overnight transformation saw the Rockfield DIY store in Abergavenny close its doors for the last time one night in December 2012 - only to open as the brand new Baileys DIY the very next day. 

A new specialist plant centre will be launched next month in Shrewsbury. 

John Lewis has today announced an investment of £32m to fund an extensive refurbishment programme in four of its stores this year. 

Around 500 garden centres and industry suppliers across the UK are putting the final plans in place for the second annual Garden Re-Leaf Day, which takes place on Friday, March 8, marking the launch of gardening season.