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Kirstie Allsopp and George Clarke join the ranks at B&Q

TV home stars are the latest celebrities to become ambassadors for B&Q, hot on the heels of Alan Titchmarsh's partnership renewal with the DIY and gardening chain. 
31 January 2011

Thieves steal £2,500 worth of goods from garden centre

Burglars escape with a horde of expensive gardening equipment in a weekend raid on Dobbies Garden World in Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne. 
28 January 2011

Solus wins Haskins Stewart Cup

Solus Garden & Leisure has won the Haskins Stewart Cup at this year's Garden Centre Association (GCA) Awards. 
28 January 2011

Focus seeks new rent agreement

Focus has "fallen short" of its predictions for 2010 after conditions proved more difficult than expected, and is now asking landlords to extend the terms of its CVA beyond March, when it is due to expire. 
28 January 2011

Sales suffer at John Lewis as consumer confidence drops

John Lewis has reported a 2.2% decline in sales for the week to January 22, as UK consumer confidence suffered its biggest monthly drop in nearly 20 years. 
28 January 2011

GCA award winners

This year's Garden Centre Association (GCA) award winners were announced at its annual conference on January 24-26 at Heythrop Park in Chipping Norton. 
28 January 2011

Homebase introduces five-year guarantee on hardy plant range

DIY and gardening chain hopes to "inspire and reassure" customers with plant guarantee and new Chelsea Collection. 
28 January 2011

Habitat updates offer with fitted kitchens and new website

Home retail chain starts the New Year with a new fitted kitchens range and relaunched website for UK, German and French customers. 
27 January 2011

Mary Portas sparks record number of wannabe mystery shoppers

Retail Eyes registered nearly 10,000 mystery shoppers last weekend following the debut of the new Channel 4 series. 
27 January 2011

Retail jobs growth slows

The number of full-time jobs grew by 0.6% in Q4 2010 compared with the same quarter last year, according to the latest BRC-Bond Pearce Retail Employment Monitor. 
27 January 2011

Scottish Government committee votes against retailer levy

The Local Government and Communities Committee of the Scottish Parliament yesterday voted to annul the proposed large retailer levy - an outcome welcomed by the SRC. 
27 January 2011

December sees record decline in family spending power

Family spending power fell by £8 per week year-on-year in December, representing the 12th month of consecutive decline, says the latest Income Tracker from Asda. 
27 January 2011

BBC One's 'Cowboy Trap' returns

Programme designed to catch out 'cowboy' workmen is back for third series and presenter Clive Holland is keen to hear about the nation's building problems. 
26 January 2011

UK economy declines 0.5%

The UK economy suffered a contraction of 0.5% in the fourth quarter of 2010, figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have revealed. 
26 January 2011

Ikea recalls glass mugs due to laceration hazard

Swedish retailer concerned inner walls of RUND hand made glass mugs may break when in use due to variations in thickness of glass. 
26 January 2011

Philips buys Indian appliance manufacturer

Dutch consumer electrical company has acquired the assets of small appliance manufacturer Maya Appliances and its Preethi brand for an undisclosed sum. 
26 January 2011

Dobbies to sponsor Gardening Scotland 2011

Tesco-owned garden centre chain will once again lend its support to national gardening and outdoor living show. 
26 January 2011

Manufacturing recovery on track but price pressures set to rise

UK manufacturers see output and orders growth pick up in recent months, but look to pass on raw material costs. 
24 January 2011

Business failures drop 18% year on year

The annual rate of business insolvencies in 2010 fell for the first time in two years, according to the latest Insolvency Index from Experian, an indicator of improving financial health in the UK business sector. 
24 January 2011

Johnson & Johnson Furniture in administration

50 employees made redundant, as bespoke furniture manufacturer blames tough trading and advance creditor payments for its collapse. 
24 January 2011
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