Christmas sales already strong, with trees up 80% and John Lewis 'at home' in Poole exceeds trading expectations as it celebrates its first anniversary. 

Hardware and electrical store awarded top spot following Domestic & General survey of independent electrical retailers. 

Three more independent retailers have joined Home Hardware Scotland, bringing the total number of member shops across Scotland and the north of England to 56. 

Britain's Best Retailer Awards are now less than a week away so if you haven't yet booked your place you only have a few days left. 

DIY and gardening growth slows, with independents worst hit, while small domestic appliances report encouraging increases, up 7.4% on last year. 

Dame Ellen MacArthur joined Kingfisher ceo Ian Cheshire, B&Q ceo Euan Sutherland and Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change Greg Barker at the Houses of Parliament to learn more about how the retailer is helping consumers to make their homes more sustainable. 

Shoppers opt for glam decorations and speciality bakeware, with sales of vintage cake stands up 168% and silicone muffin pans seeing growth. 

The leading Danish furniture supplier has bought the trading activities of Harbo Fritid, further bolstering its position in the market following the acquisition of ATO Fritid just last week. 

Following success of previous 'at home' openings, retailer announces £15.5m investment and opening of outlets in Exeter and Chester, taking total number of stores to six. 

HSS Hire Service Group has reported a 14% increase in revenue to £44.6m for its third quarter. 

Marks & Spencer is currently in talks with the Government over its 'Green Deal' policy, which aims to make up to 14m homes more energy efficient. 

Welsh Assembly Government cuts compulsory carrier bag charge from 7p to 5p following advice from BRC. 

High street sales were higher than a year ago but household goods saw a slower increase, while hardware and DIY reported a decline. 

Ikea UK & Ireland has reported a like-for-like sales rise of 1% to £1.2bn for the year to August 31, 2010. 

B&Q and Homebase have come bottom in the latest Which? consumer survey of 78 online retailers, with low ratings for both price and product. 

Best Buy opened its fifth UK store this morning at Trafalgar Way Retail Park on the Purley Way in Croydon. 

In-store ordering service 'Asda Extra' to be trialled in three Asda outlets in the north of England. 

DIY Week readers who are fans of The Apprentice will have enjoyed last night's episode, which featured B&Q, Wolseley and Rowlands Home Hardware. 

Retail employment went up by 2.1% in the third quarter of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009, according to the latest BRC-Bond Pearce Retail Employment Monitor. 

X Factor-style competition has whittled contestants down to top 50 retail employees in a quest to find the best vocal performer for 2010 and raise funds for retail charity.