The average UK family was £7 a week worse off in June 2010 compared with last year, while a nationwide poll revealed that just 34% of people currently feel secure in their job. 

B&Q is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability with the launch of a new own-label range called 'Home Eco at B&Q' and its first Fairtrade products. Its exclusive JCB tool range will also be in store this year. 

Smoothie machines and peanut butter makers are among 10 products written off as worthless in the latest issue of Which? magazine. 

Despite summer holidays and warm weather, customers "were in the mood for spending", sending furniture sales soaring at the department store. 

BHETA has welcomed two new DIY members to the association: Yale EMEA and Hozelock. 

BDC 2008, the latest incarnation of the troubled Bridisco wholesale business, entered administration on July 20 and was sold the same day. 

Travis Perkins has posted interim results ahead of management expectations for the six months to June 30, 2010. 

Brits are spending money on beds and bedroom furniture, despite high-ticket prices, while the rest of the floorcoverings and furniture market continues to struggle. 

Sales on the high street increased in July compared with 2009, surpassing retailers' expectations, according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey. 

US tool manufacturers Danaher Tool Group and Cooper Tools have launched joint tool venture Apex Tool Group. 

Fashion and homewares retailer Matalan has reported like-for-like sales growth of 3% for the 13 weeks to May 29, 2010. 

Wilkinson posts strong results and announces significant expansion of own brand products and major push in Scotland. 

Consumer confidence has fallen for the first time in a year, according to a new survey by market research company Nielsen and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) released today. 

DIY Week is calling on all suppliers to nominate their customers for Britain's Best Retailer Awards 2010. 

John Lewis has launched a corporate sales service to help organisations furnish their offices. 

B&Q parent company Kingfisher has reported a dip in sales, down 0.8% on a like-for-like (lfl) basis, for the 10 weeks to July 10, 2010. 

Garden, unsurprisingly, is the star of the Q2 figures on the DIY Week/GfK barometer. However, both the exterior and interior markets have seen sales growth compared with Q2 2009. 

Two ex-Woolworths managers are reopening one of the failed retailer's former stores in Selsdon. 

Scottish sales fell 1.1% on a like-for-like basis in June compared to the same month last year when sales rose 2.2%, according to the latest report from the SRC-KPMG Scottish Retail Sales Monitor. 

The recession is still hitting UK shoppers, with 54% saying they felt the Government's emergency budget would make things worse for their financial situation.