Retailers gear up for the busiest shopping day of the year, Manic Monday, with sales set to reach £537m. 

Electricals giant Dixons Retail, formerly known as DSG International, has reported flat group sales of £3.4bn for the 24 weeks to October 16, 2010. 

Bosch has become the latest company to sign up as a sponsor of the Product of the Year Awards 2011. 

Latest figures show an increase in sales volumes for the fifth consecutive month, with shops optimistic that trend will continue. 

B&Q is giving customers an early preview of its January sale over a four-day period this weekend. 

Councils could kill off high street trade if they hike up town centre parking charges, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has warned. 

Demand for UK-made goods improved in November, compared with the previous month, according to new figures released by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) last week. 

John Lewis, Sainsbury's, M&S and Matalan among retailers praised for their commercials, as retail analyst highlights the importance of a strong advertising campaign and 'togetherness' over the festive period. 

The Product of the Year Awards 2011 is now open for entries - giving you the chance to prove that you have one of the best innovations in the marketplace. 

John Browns Garden Centre in Dorset has reported an increased turnover of 15% for the period from January to August 2010. 

Asda Income Tracker reports tenth month of decline, with UK families now £4 a week worse off than in the same month last year. 

February trade shows have already exceeded the size they were in 2010, and sales director Paul Grinsell is confident that the shows will be a sell out. 

The funeral of Ted Lansdowne, former managing director of Payless DIY and Green DIY, will be 11.30am on Wednesday December 8 at St Mary Church, Kippington Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2LL. There will be refreshments afterwards. 

Ted Lansdowne, md of Green DIY in Sussex and former md of Payless DIY, died on Friday November 19 after multiple heart attacks. He was 67. 

Department store chain reports total sales of £88m last week as shoppers prepare their homes for the festive season, sending home categories soaring. 

A significant year-on-year drop in business insolvencies has been recorded during October, according to the latest Insolvency Index from Experian. 

Grafton Group has reported a 6% rise in UK merchanting sales for the year to October 2010. 

Jim Godfrey, owner of L.R. Godfreys in Lowestoft took part in TV programme Come Dine With Me - to be aired December 3. 

Fashion retailer Next has dismissed reports that it is planning to open out-of-town shops with garden centres. 

Garden sundries supplier Gardman has signed a deal for 242,000sq ft of new warehouse space in West Lynn, close to its main warehouse operations in Kings Lynn, Norfolk.