Department store chain reports 15.8% rise in sales over the festive period. 

Police investigate theft, as Dobbies also announces downsized plans for Carlisle centre, which are more "appropriate" in the current economic climate. 

Electrical items and cookware are among items that people buy in sales but never use - and which tot up to more £85 a head. 

The recent freezing weather across the UK could cost employers up to £230m in a single day of employee absenteeism according to the Forum of Private Business (FPB). 

John Lewis is expected to confirm tomorrow that its sales last week (week commencing December 28) were up 30% on the same period last year. 

Customer loyalty continues to diminish, while home and garden leisure is bolstered by recession, as homeowners focus on careful budgeting. 

Footfall figures released by Synovate Retail Performance show that the Bank Holiday on Monday, December 28 was the busiest shopping day of 2009. 

Clas Ohlson is continuing its UK roll out with the signing of an agreement for lease on a new store in Leeds, UK. 

Four out of five retailers who took part in the British Retail Consortium's 2010 Concerns Snapshot Survey said they expected sales to be the same as in 2009. Not one thought that sales would be worse and a fifth thought they would improve. 

A new Tile Depot store and head office will open on January 4 on the Farnham Road Trade Park in Slough. 

Tetrosyl will discontinue the present arrangement for the distribution of the Tetrion Homecare range by Artex. From January 2, Tetrosyl will be trading directly with distributors and retailers. 

The freezing weather conditions kept many shoppers at home last week, according to the latest footfall figures from Synovate, with London and the South East worst affected. 

A new BBC TV series will see some of Britain's "biggest and best loved high street stores" make space on their shelves for products designed by the British public. 

B&Q will slash prices this week in a sale that will see prices cut by up to 50% from Christmas Eve. 

Topps Tiles' Dutch subsidiary is "unlikely to be able to continue trading on a going concern basis" after Topps withdrew support and funding from the loss-making business. 

Focus DIY has made a number of management changes as part of the latest phase of its strategic development. 

Home improvement chain sees 23% increase for the year so far, boosting parent Travis Perkins' turnover. 

Popular event to run again at new location in Birmingham, with speakers from the BRC and Verdict Research. 

Bold robbers close off road to steal trees worth £10,000 from South London garden centre. 

BBC in search for Britain’s best entrepreneurs for new series of Dragons’ Den.