...And the sector saw the largest year-on-year growth in internet sales out of all other retail categories, tying in with a recent report showing more and more people are looking to the internet for their home improvement purchases. 

The Horticultural Trades Association has agreed a new debit and credit card processing deal with Barclaycard Payment Acceptance which it says will mean the industry will have around £350k per annum out of its card processing costs. 

A nationwide survey by online interior specialist Wayfair has revealed that the majority of people look online to purchase items for the home, and most of these are aged 18 to 24 years old. 

The Next chain's venture into DIY and garden retailing will be extended tomorrow - June 21 - when it opens its second Home and Garden superstore. 

The Staffordshire-based bathroom manufacturer Bristan, which has been the target of negative publicity for increasing its payment terms by 60 days, has now relented. 

The DIY market saw a year-on-year sales increase of 4.2% over the Jubilee weekend. That's according to new GfK data, which also revealed mass merchandisers' sales of DIY seasonal products increased by 22.4% over the long Bank holiday. 

A new survey conducted by Shoppercentric has revealed that 75% of all UK shoppers believe good value means paying more than the lowest possible price. 

Home improvement chain's figures for first quarter reveal an 8.1% decline in total sales to £421m, impacted by disappointing sales of seasonal goods in poor weather, while HRG stablemate Argos recorded a 0.2% increase. 

Outdoor furniture and barbecues were top sellers for members of the Garden Centre Association during the sunnier days of May, according to the latest Barometer of Trade results. 

Department store Allders of Croydon collapsed into administration last week, blaming its failure on adverse trading conditions. 

A new garden centre is to be created within an outlet shopping centre in West Yorkshire. 

The Garden Centre Group has revealed that it is looking to boost revenue by developing a strong presence of concessions in its stores to complement its core horticulture ranges. 

Last Friday saw B&Q stores up and down the country take part in a 'great sunflower grow' which saw the retailer give away thousands of Verve sunflower plants to children and their parents. 

An employee who stole thousands of pounds from a Norfolk garden centre has been given an eight-week prison sentence. 

A series of free summer events dedicated to David Austin roses are taking place across The Garden Centre Group's member businesses this month and next, and more than 5,000 people have already signed up to attend. 

Young companies with innovative ideas and designers with products that need bringing to market are being asked to enter a competition organised by Autumn Fair and home solutions chain Lakeland. 

With total sales up 18.1% for the week ending June 9, the department store proved an exception to the disappointment expressed by many retailers following the long, wet Bank holiday weekend. 

DIY Week and diyweek.net are to have a new publisher: Jan Thorpe is taking over from Colin Petty 

Boost growth, save money on energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint - those are just some of the benefits Solar Systems says garden centres can enjoy if they install solar panels. 

The search to find Britain's best garden fence, dubbed in the press last year as the most boring competition in the country, is on once again.