After 84 years in retail the Wilkinson family has split in two, with Karin Swann selling her 50% share to the remaining half of the family. 

Bulk Hardware, a supplier of bulk packed and pre-packed hardware and DIY products, is celebrating its 40th year in business with an expansion to its warehouse. 

The second quarter saw small DIY and hardware shops bucking the trend of dipping sales in independents generally. 

Morden Hall Garden Centre in Morden, Surrey, is holding a £1m sale of stock in readiness for possible closure. 

B&Q is proposing to switch its horticultural operations from Coventry to Radlett in Hertfordshire, which could results in workers losing their jobs. 

Independent retailers are being put at the top of the Totally Shows' priority list for 2015, following post 2014 show research, and a recent meeting with the events' advisory panel. 

One hundred schools stretching from the Isle of Wight to Stirling participated in the Stewart Garden Schools Campaign with Pippa Greenwood 2014. 

It has been reported that rival turnaround investors have begun working on acquisition plans following heightened speculation Home Retail Group is to sell Homebase. 

A funding package worth £40,000 has been provided by Barclays to help Whitehall Garden Centre and Whitchurch Garden Centre expand on their green energy credentials. 

A trend for garden centres to de-stock outdoor plants during the winter months has been noticed, as customers sway away from autumn planting. 

A new £4m state-of-the-art warehouse will help Rodo, the leading supplier of decorating accessories, workwear and personal protective equipment, with continued business growth. 

DIY, garden and housewares companies looking to export further afield are invited to gain insider knowledge from the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA). 

Lakeland has become the first homeware retailer to stock O'Keeffe's Working Hands hand cream in its 68 UK stores and online. 

Following on from the success of its Garden Academy, Homebase has launched its Interior Design and Decorating Academy. 

The Manchester-based All-In-One Garden Centre has been fined over £2,500 for selling fireworks to underage children. 

The Travis Perkins consumer division, which comprises Tile Giant, Toolstation and Wickes, saw a like-for-like revenue rise of 6.8% during the first half of 2014. 

Sales for Next in the 26 weeks to July 26 are up 10.7%, ahead of the 5.5%-9.5% full year growth guidance given in April. 

Gateacre Garden Centre in Liverpool is closing down, however its sister garden centre, Burleydam in Little Sutton, is thriving and winning awards. 

Customers will see an improvement in ordering services and a greater access to products when using Timco's new website. 

Formed in 1974 by husband and wife team Alan and Carole Hopkins, Alca Tools is very much still a family affair 40 years on.