Akzo Nobel reports 9% sales increase in decorative paints category, with Dulux strengthening position in UK, despite decline in demand. 

HSS Hire Service Group has reported pre-tax profits of £39m for the year to January 1, 2011, up 33% on the previous year. 

Company remains bullish about future, with plans to quadruple turnover in just four years. 

Former Garden Centre Association chairman Bob Bickerdike has died aged 63 after an accident in the Alps. 

B&Q trade venture ups its offer with free next-day site delivery on more than 600 bulk items, including bricks and blocks, cement, timber, and decking. 

TV personality and DIY guru Tommy Walsh has today launched a shopping comparison website tailored for the construction trade and DIY enthusiasts. 

Bents Garden & Home has announced its largest ever charity total, with more than £11,000 raised for its nominated charity in 2010. 

Homebase is continuing to take advantage of the grow your own trend this year with the launch of a range of grow your own fruit, vegetables and herbs in collaboration with TV chef Jamie Oliver. 

John Lewis is set to expand into Europe with online trading, opening its website to 25 countries from June. 

A rise in shop vacancy rates "demonstrates the need for a retail-friendly Budget in March", the British Retail Consortium has said today. 

B&Q has become the first major UK retailer to only buy timber products from proven responsible sources, the retailer announced today. 

Entry deadline for Product of the Year 2011 has been extended by seven days so there's still time to make sure your newest products are in the running for an award. 

The Garden Centre Group is set to close its smallest centre at Church Lawford, with the loss of nine jobs. 

Test-Rite UK md Dermot Mullins, who helped set up B&Q stores in Taiwan with Taiwanese parent company Test-Rite, has sold his entire share interest in the UK business back to his Taiwanese partners. 

Best known for its range of bins, Brabantia is moving out of the kitchen and into the dining room with its latest launch - a range of casual dining products. 

Retail chain reports a 1.2% sales increase for first week of February, as customers lean towards new home ranges, including textiles and dining. 

The DIY products market declined by just 0.2% in value in 2010, according to a recent market update from GfK Retail and Technology UK. 

Totally shows organiser Brintex has confirmed another successful show, with 6,116 visitors flocking to Birmingham's NEC from February 6-8. 

B&Q is launching a three-year partnership with charity UK Youth to give young people the opportunity and confidence to take on their own DIY and home improvement projects. 

Congratulations to all the Gold and Silver winners at this year's Show Stoppers Best New Product Awards, sponsored by DIY Week and sister magazines HGR and Builders Merchants Journal.