More than 60% of people say they'll be making changes to their home this year, according to the latest Wickes Home Improvement Report. 

Nationwide Spending Index reports an increase for the first time since the VAT increase, with overall consumer confidence also up five points, but figures still lag behind pre-recession levels. 

Homewares retailer Dunelm Mill has reported a 1.3% decline in like-for-like sales for its third financial quarter. 

Garden centre chain takes over the Walled Garden Centre at Elton Hall, marking the opening of its seventh outlet in the UK. 

Multichannel retailer Flying Brands Limited has suffered a difficult first quarter with its bird food and flowers businesses continuing to underperform. 

Sarum Wholesale is holding an online auction of its stock after entering administration at the beginning of March. 

Notcutts Garden Centres has become the first garden centre group to receive 'full member' status of the Growing Media Initiative (GMI). 

Manchester gardening business expands with new acquisition and hints at future growth plans. 

The use of temporary workers in the UK rose by more than 10% in March, according to new data from temporary agency labour procurer de Poel. 

The Anti Copying in Design (ACID) organisation is first-time exhibitor at this year's Exclusively Hosewares and will be on hand to offer advice on how to protect designs and products from copying. 

UK retail sales have suffered the worst decline for 16 years, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. 

Gardening chain will open pet shops at 30 of its garden centres across the UK this month, offering pet food, kennels, bedding, pet accessories and a range of chicken products. 

Fastenings and fixings supplier Forgefix has reported a massive 38% sales increase for Jan-April this year compared with Q1 2010. 

The 2.5% increase in National Minimum Wage announced last week will add to the pressure on retailers trying to grow their businesses and create jobs, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned. 

New 40,000sq ft standalone home shop is set to open in Newbury town centre in 2012, taking the total number of John Lewis at home stores to eight by 2012. 

Home improvement chain allows couples to create their own page, inviting guests to pledge money towards DIY projects, rather than buy gifts. 

The total number of insolvencies in the UK fell by 12.5% in February compared with the same month last year, bringing the rate of insolvencies down from 0.10% to 0.08%. 

City speculation about a possible buyout of Homebase parent Home Retail Group has been rife this week. 

Retailer reports tough trading conditions and a 'weak floorcoverings market' in the UK and ROI, resulting in a second profit warning for the year. 

Retail is the first industry to come under scrutiny as part of the Government's campaign to tackle unnecessary regulation, which kicked off today.