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UPDATE: PPG and ICI reach legal agreement

The legal dispute between ICI Paints AkzoNobel and PPG regarding the latter's Johnstone's 'Best on Test' advertising campaign has been settled out of court. 
7 January 2011

Arnotts reveals €295m loss but trading improving

Irish department store Arnotts has said it expects single-digit turnover growth for the year ending January 23, 2011, after suffering dramatic losses in the previous year. 
7 January 2011

Merchanting sales improve for Grafton in 2010

Group reports 3% increase in merchanting sales for the year, while its DIY retailing business saw a 7% decline. 
7 January 2011

Retail and wholesale was 'least confidant sector' in Q4

Economic growth will be slower than forecast next year according to the latest ICAEW/Grant Thornton UK Business Confidence Monitor (BCM). 
6 January 2011

William Sinclair doubles profit in 2010

Compost and garden products supplier reports impressive year, with net debt eliminated and pre-tax profit up 100%, as consumers shun overseas travel and spend more time in the garden. 
6 January 2011

Thieves raid and set fire to garden centre premises

Two men broke into and stole stock from containers at Bold Heath Garden Centre, before torching the site in the early hours of Wednesday morning. 
6 January 2011

Future uncertain for Essex retail park

Plans for a 10,000 sq m development in Maldon could fall flat after councillors have been advised to reject the bid. 
6 January 2011

Petersham Nurseries to open in Selfridges London

Richmond-based gardening business to showcase its garden and lifestyle ranges at flagship department store in Oxford Street from January 10. 
5 January 2011

VAT rise will harm small businesses, says FSB

More than 70% of SMEs expect yesterday's VAT rise to have a negative impact on their business, says a new member survey from the Federation of Small Businesses. 
5 January 2011

Retail administrations fall by 43%

The number of companies falling into administration fell 35% in 2010 to 2,086, down from 3,188 in 2009, according to new research from Deloitte. 
5 January 2011

Andy Bond leaves Asda

Asda chairman stepped down from his role on New Years Day, less than 12 months after his jump to the newly-created position. 
5 January 2011

Dobbies helps customers grow their own Christmas trees

Tesco-owned garden centre chain gave away 25,000 tree seedlings to its customers across the UK in 2010 in a bid to encourage homegrown Christmas trees in the future. 
4 January 2011

John Lewis smashes sales record

John Lewis smashed its single day's sales record during post-Christmas clearance, with sales on December 27 up 30% on the retailer's previous biggest-ever day, December 27, 2008. 
4 January 2011

Retailers fear sales decline in 2011 but will invest in new jobs

Nearly two thirds of retail outlets expect retail sales to worsen next year compared with 2010 but still plan to invest in and create more jobs throughout the year. 
27 December 2010

Bradford Building Supplies completes £1m refurbishment

Bradfords Building Supplies has marked the completion of its £1m building programme with an opening ceremony led by the Mayor of Taunton Deane at its new-look branch in Taunton, Somerset. 
24 December 2010

1,000 join in Covers' carol concert

Timber and builders merchants Covers raised £2,750 for charity this week with its annual carol concert - attended by more than 1,000 people! 
23 December 2010

Online sales soar in November

UK shoppers spent £6.4bn online during November according to the latest figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index. 
22 December 2010

Defra sets 2020 peat replacement target

Defra has called for peat to be completely eliminated from the amateur gardener market by 2020. 
22 December 2010

Food prep market reports record-breaking sales

Sales of food preparation equipment have surpassed £100m for the first time ever, with food processors and kitchen machines showing strong growth in 2010. 
21 December 2010

Fire at family-run garden centre

Around 35 firefighters attended a stock room fire at Homeleigh Garden Centre in Cornwall last week. 
21 December 2010
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