As expected, Tesco has extended the deadline for its cash offer to Dobbies Garden Centres shareholders. 

West Sussex-based centre expands with purchase of Gardens Etc 

B&Q is to sue a Chinese supplier over allegations of bullying. 

Due to the rapid expansion of Rottner Security UK since its launch, it has recently moved from its Bedford sales office and third party warehousing to fully refurbished offices and warehousing. 

Homewares retailer Dunelm has announced full year results with overall sales for the year to end-June up 12.5% at £354.7m up from £315.2m. 

The German chemicals group BASF has told Dutch newspapers it is not interested in purchasing chemical firms, including ICI, as they are too expensive. 

It appears Sir Tom Hunter is preparing to table a counter bid for Dobbies following his acquisition of 25,000 Dobbies shares on Friday. 

A garden centre partnership is to run a new retail outlet on the site of Lintzford Bridge Nurseries, County Durham. 

The sixth edition of the two day show has been hailed the most successful yet - and work has already started on the 2008 Show. 

Lofa has announced the launch of its own trade show to be held in 2008. 

Research conducted by Glee organisers raises possible concerns about the market need for Lofa’s exhibition. 

John Lewis' week got better and better following its award for best British Retailer as trading figures for the week to June 23 indicated sales rose 5.1%. 

Debenhams leases Irish outlet; Carpetright targets investments to fuel improvements; Galiform restructures 

Maisie Slater will end her 17-year association with the Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) on Wednesday (July 4). 

Midlands garden centre, Webbs of Wychbold was crowned regional winner of the Ruxley Rose Award for its plants department. 

Tom Hunter’s West Coast Capital investment vehicle has taken its stake up to 21.4% by acquiring a further chunk of shares at 1800p a share. 

This year’s HTA conference will not only be distinctly green in its business agenda, but will also be the first major carbon neutral event in the garden industry. 

Another day, another Dobbies tale to relate.
Sir Tom Hunter has gained 25.57% to block Tesco's cash bid, however it has emerged that Tesco reduced the acceptance level to shareholders saying its bid would be valid with only 50% of the shares taken. 

Speculation is mounting that after Akzo Nobel's £7.2bn offer for ICI, any one of a number of bidders – including BASF, DuPont, Dow Chemical, and private equity – will come in to try and trump the Dutch paint giant. 

Focus DIY was sold today to Cerberus. The private equity firm will pay off debts of £174m to bondholders, and bring in two former Wickes directors.