A new generation M&S store, featuring the biggest home department in the UK with 18,000 sq ft dedicated to the category, has opened at Cheshire Oaks, near Liverpool. 

A new social media page which will enable tradesmen to interact directly with their local building suppliers about new products as well as the latest hints and tips from trade experts is being rolled out by TradePoint. 

Chartham Garden Centre in Kent is the latest Garden Centre Group businesses to add a charity shop concession in aid of Pilgrims Hospices. 

Paint brand creates new commercial, featuring realflow fluid simulation technology - the first animation of its kind to break into the home improvement sector - in a bid to inspire homeowners to be bolder with colour. 

The seasonal homewares market saw a 357% increase in value and 554% in volume year-on-year for July 2012, according to GfK. 

A secret residential flat was discovered at Fourboys Garden Centre in Dursley last week, following a raid by officers from Stroud District Council who suspected all was not as it should be in the business's 'Tool Shed' building. 

The DIY giant's only Oxford outlet will be closing in coming weeks as the retailer opts out of its lease renewal. 

Barclay's senior economist Dr Brian Clark will be joining the line-up of speakers at this year's Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Garden Futures Conference in London this October. 

Retailers will be able to sidestep a ban on buying traditional 40W bulbs due to come into force in September 1. 

Ian Cheshire, who has been chief executive of Kingfisher since January 2008, will be taking over from Rob Templeman as chairman of the British Retail Consortium on October 1. 

The garden centre chain has posted full-year results showing sales up from £111.9m to £136.4m for the year ending February 29, 2012. 

Screwfix's DIY Express store in Hayes, which was the second of the new-format stores opened by the Kingfisher-owned retailer this Spring, has ceased trading. 

A bitter row has escalated between the Garden Centre Group and Green Fields Farm Shop in Telford, Shropshire, culminating in the farm shop accusing the GCG of "corporate bullying" while the GCG claim trepass, damage and a vigorous denial of 'David and Goliath' reports. 

Chester's Grosvenor Garden Centre has seen a number of changes to staff following its acquisition earlier this year by Blue Diamond Group. 

E-crime is the most significant emerging threat to the retail sector, and UK companies are the world's second-biggest targets. 

A Sealey vacuum cleaner that can deliver an electric shock has been recalled. 

An independent hardware store in Broomhill, Sheffield, is facing extinction after its landlord received planning permission to alter the shop layout against the will of its current staff workers, who suspect they're being ousted in favour of a Sainsbury's. 

The horticultural design and print company has announced it will be attending the upcoming Glee show at the Birmingham NEC. 

Enrolment figures from B&Q's skills classes suggest that more and more women are tackling DIY jobs. 

Following a rollercoaster 37 years, Milton Keynes DIY and building supplies store Sid Telfers has been put up for sale by its eponymous owner, who is hoping to find a buyer who will continue the store's legacy for "Aladdin's cave" convenience.