While 2% growth is forecast for the garden products industry in 2010, price competition looks set to have a serious effect on the sector's profitability. 

Tesco has begun its spring garden activity with the launch of a new children's gardening range. 

Specialist woodcare and paint company Rustins, has reported a 10% increase in sales in its paint division for 2009. 

Deadline for entry into the Product of the Year Awards 2010 has been extended to March 19. However, this will be the absolute cut off as the independent panel of retail judges will meet the following week. 

New TV series The Business Inspector is aiming to help people turn their businesses around. 

Focus DIY is continuing its support of the National Vegetable Society (NVS) during 2010. 

Health experts call for warning labels on compost following reports of three cases of Legionnaire's disease in Scotland, including one fatality. 

Merchant and DIY chain compensates for 26% drop in sales with cost base reduction of €85m. 

B&Q has revealed its price check figures for the first time as it launched its new Decorate for Less campaign today. 

Forum of Private Business (FPB) urges companies to assess whether their rate bills over the past five years have been set too high after around 160,000 small businesses win rebates. 

Store traffic dipped 1.3% in February, with consumers still exhausted by December's 'buying frenzy', despite shop price inflation rising just 1.7%. 

B&Q is partnering the London Borough of Sutton in a trial of the Government's new Pay as You Save (PAYS) scheme, introduced yesterday. 

Packaging manufacturer Impress has purchased the assets of Service Tool International (STI), which has decided to enter into liquidation. 

British Retail Consortium urges Chancellor to cut public spending and avoid tax hikes in a bid to help retailers recover from the recession. 

Dobbies will open its most environmentally-friendly store to date in Aberdeen this week. 

Exhibitor numbers may have been 20% lower than the pre-recession 2008 show, but with around 2,700 exhibitors, the 2010 Cologne Hardware Fair still dwarfed other shows. 

HTA research finds that customers are more likely to buy items displaying Union Jack or local marking. 

High street retailers are continuing to maintain strong sales results, according to BDO's High Street Sales Tracker. 

Trusthorpe Garden Centre was broken into on Monday night despite recently installing a new security system worth £1,500. 

February exceeds expectations with homewares and furniture up, while sales volumes of hardware and DIY continue to fall.