Mica is launching its autumn brochure with a personal twist this month, featuring member retailers and staff across selected front pages in an attempt to promote the local connection between the group’s retailers, customers and local communities. 

Specialist footcare provider Shuropody has secured funding that will allow it to expand its presence in garden centres. 

Following the sudden resignation of former president John Newcomb, the British Home Enhancement Trades Association has decided not to rush the election process and run without a president until its next AGM in May 2013. 

Two separate garden centres - one in Devon and the other in Rutland - have revealed that they have been forced to close down. 

A brand new advertising campaign from Wickes debuted on mainstream TV last night, featuring new character Wickesy the dog, who is seen in the advert overtaking an old English sheepdog similar to those used in Dulux marketing. 

Stanley Hand Tools is continuing its association with top flight football this season, with a significant investment in perimeter advertising and exclusive deals as official partner of both Liverpool FC and Fulham FC. 

A Cheltenham cookshop ceased trading this weekend, having fallen victim to reduced customer spending and this year's poor weather. 

An influential retail property trade organisation has written to the Prime Minister today, urging action to help regenerate Britain's flagging high streets. 

Customers at garden centres in The Garden Centre Group (GCG) nationwide have helped raise £4,900 for Help for Heroes, and the money was recently presented to a charity representative. 

Debenhams commercial director Steve Lightfoot will be retail guest speaker at the next BHETA Housewares Open Forum. 

John Lewis has chosen Chelmsford as the site for its third flexible-format department store. 

With both the Paralympic Games and the relaxation of the Sunday trading laws coming to an end yesterday, a new poll shows that almost half of shoppers support longer Sunday opening hours on a permanent basis. 

Glee organisers are sending a reminder to all attendees at next week's Glee show to take advantage of one of the exciting new features of the show - the guided tours. 

Allders, the huge department store that has been trading in Croydon for a century and a half, is to close down 

Kingfisher-owned chain opens new trade counter alongside its trial DIY format DIY Express at Haskins retail complex. 

Industry headliners - from AkzoNobel to Home Hardware - have lent their support to the upcoming DIY Week Awards ahead of the fast-approaching September 21 deadline for entries. 

The landmark Dobbies and Tesco shared store is now a certainty, after councillors in King's Lynn gave permission for the £8m development at a former Campbell's factory site on Hardwick Road. 

The Sun newspaper has launched a campaign to find Britain's Best Garden Centre. 

A vacuum flask has been compulsorily withdrawn from the market because it contains asbestos. 

A growing presence of specialist shops such as arts and crafts stores, bakery and home baking stores and health food outlets reveals that high streets are adapting to take on the supermarkets and shopping centres.