Two major domestic lighting distributors join forces to create the £35m-strong Associated Lighting Group. 

Suppliers under pressure as value retailer hardens its stance in review of buying terms. 

A strong performance by the UK DIY chain pushes group retail profit up 23.5% for H1. 

Two Irish merchant and diy groups, Associated Hardware and National Hardware, are merging their buying operations to create a single buying group on behalf of 150 independent members in total. 

Timber company to distribute Hillhout and Holgard brands throughout UK. 

Home furnishings retailer sees strong trading over last 10 weeks, following on from positive full-year results. 

Swedish retailer enters into agreement for new branch in Harlequin Shopping Centre as part of its ongoing expansion plans. 

Retail sales and footfall drop in the capital, as good weather means consumers opt for outdoor pursuits over indoor shopping. 

Department store chain releases trading update for 2009, revealing expected increase in profits, driven by own-bought ranges. 

Sales of emulsion paint increased 12.8% over August Bank holiday weekend as consumers "busy themselves" with home improvements. 

HTA reports that consumers have upped their spend on wild bird care products, with garden centres accounting for a quarter of all sales. 

Solid demand for leisure and gift boosts the sector, while homewares is kept afloat by cookware and home accessories. 

Department store chain experiences surge in home sales and online purchases, stating that there are 'big opportunities' to gain ground in coming weeks. 

Sales up 2.9% for Home Retail Group-owned DIY chain but gross margin is hit by heavy discounting. 

Merchant buying group Unimer has described the 12 months to April 2009 as its "most challenging trading period in living memory". 

Pilkington's Tiles Group chairman and one of the highest profile figures in the ceramics industry, passed away September 7. 

DIY giant hopes to improve showroom employees' knowledge and design skills to cash in on the 'don't move, improve' trend. 

BHETA DIY and brushware sector director Andy Vaughan is the latest to leave the association in the wake of the defeated proposal to merge the association with the BJGF. 

B&Q parent company releases indicative trading figures nine days ahead of scheduled date after "administrative error" sees draft numbers circulated. 

"Deceptively good sales" in summer months are not indicative of a growth in consumer confidence as retail sales fall again in August.