Tesco has confirmed its commitment to growing its non-food stores in its preliminary results statement for 2009/2010. 

£6m marketing push on price promise signals a first for the department store chain, with TV ad set to debut this Friday. 

Momentum gathers pace for the Product of the Year Awards 2010, with two new high profile sponsors signing up to show their support for the most prestigious awards event for the whole home improvement industry. 

The BHF Direct Company awarded its 'suppliers of the year' last week at its annual Away Day on April 14th. 

UK shoppers beat the queues this Easter by making their DIY purchases from the comfort of their own homes, says payment fraud protection specialist Retail Decisions (ReD). 

Sales at John Lewis were up 0.6% year on year in the week to April 10. 

Synovate urges retailers to take heart from 'above seasonal average', despite wet weather resulting in an 8.5% drop in shopper numbers over the first week of Easter. 

Confidence among shoppers sees largest monthly fall since July 2008, while spending index picks up. 

The BRC has released its response to the three main parties' manifestos, which were published this week in the run up to May's general election. 

Compost manufacturer reports strong trading and announces £9m advance payment from Defra to cease peat harvesting at its Bolton Fell site. 

Aylett Nurseries in St Albans has become the first independent garden centre to become a full member of the Growing Media Initiative (GMI), the cross-industry scheme to reduce peat in bagged growing media. 

David Quayle, one of the co-founders of B&Q, has died aged 73. 

New rules on long-term sick leave are preventing small firms from hiring new staff, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). 

Build and Plumb Center parent plans to double number of kitchen studio showrooms it will open across the UK. 

Administrators see 'no prospects of recovery for the ongoing business', and have initiated a closing down procedure of the decorating chain. Twelve of the 16 retail outlets that were still trading have already closed. 

The number of retailers entering into administration fell to its lowest level in four years in the first quarter of 2010. 

Total sales up 6.6% in March, with homewares driven by mid-season sales but BRC warns of consumer caution and a 'gloomier picture'. 

Garden centre group Golden Acres has reported a 20% retail sales increase. 

Sales of furniture and textiles saw a boost on the high street in March, with shoppers attracted by 'cleverly targeted promotions'. 

BHETA has announced that vice president John Newcomb will stand as president at the June 3 agm, with the full backing of the board and the sector committees. A number of other representatives will also stand for key positions on the board and on the committees.