Home enhancement chain reports flat sales in first half, while Home Retail Group stablemate Argos sees sales decline and 94% drop in operating profit. 

The market for garden rooms and buildings (including value-added services) was worth an estimated £110m in 2010, down 14% on the previous year, according to the latest market data from AMA Research. By mid-2011, the forecasts are that the market will be down a further 5% to around £105m in 2011. 

Group acquires family-run Fryer's Garden Centre and award-winning rose growing business in Knutsford for £2.7m. 

The rate of inflation in the UK rose to 5.2% in September, up from 4.5% in August, the Office for National Statistics announced this morning. 

The latest RPI inflation figure could lead to retailers facing a damaging £350m rise in business rates next April, the British Retail Consortium has warned. 

Hudgies Hardware in Suffolk has won an ongoing battle with music licensing body Phonographic Performance (PPL) after the company tried to make him pay for a licence he didn't need. 

Online retail searches are growing as people use the internet to hunt down bargains, according to the latest BRC-Google Online Retail Monitor. 

Shopping channel's 'Be Aware, Show You Care' broadcast saw funds roll in for charity partner Breast Cancer Care on Wednesday. 

TJ Morris, which trades as Home Bargains, has reported record financial results, with operating profit up 24% to £59.5m for the year to June 2011. 

Planters Garden Centre has opened a second centre under its Garden King brand after acquiring Bradley Nurseries in Staffordshire. 

Garden & Leisure Group operations director was voted in at the HTA AGM yesterday, replacing Scotsdales Garden Centre md Caroline Owen, who stepped down from the role after two years. 

Dencon has this week bought the UK distribution rights for the Commtel Innovate range of aerials, telecom accessories and audio accessories. 

Wickes has reported a 1.2% increase in delivered turnover for the 39 weeks to October 1, with like-for-like delivered sales down 0.5%. 

The Government is proposing to reduce financial reporting requirements for small businesses in a move which could save UK firms more than £600m every year. 

B&Q is launching a new retail management graduate programme, providing on-the-job retail experience. 

Garden group takes on Badger Nurseries in Studley for undisclosed sum - the second garden centre acquisition in Redditch in the space of a month. 

AkzoNobel has unveiled a single global brand identity for its retail consumer paint range, entitled Let's Colour. 

A team of cyclists from DIY chain Wickes have completed a punishing 520k ride to Mount Everest's Base Camp in aid of blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. 

More than 50 firefighters called in to tackle blaze on Southend Arterial Road in Upminster on Saturday. 

Sussex DIY independent Green DIY celebrated its 20th birthday on October 4, and marked the event with a special promotional weekend over the weekend of October 7-9.