Enrolment figures from B&Q's skills classes suggest that more and more women are tackling DIY jobs. 

Following a rollercoaster 37 years, Milton Keynes DIY and building supplies store Sid Telfers has been put up for sale by its eponymous owner, who is hoping to find a buyer who will continue the store's legacy for "Aladdin's cave" convenience. 

Knutsford is being targeted by a gang trying to sell bogus kitchenware direct to consumers. 

Beleaguered Irish retail chain Atlantic Homecare has been given more time by the High Court to try to turn its fortunes around. 

...And overall retail sales volumes defied expectations of a 0.1% fall to climb 0.3% between June and July 2012 according to the latest from the Office for National Statistics. 

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre in Powys is bucking the national trend for job cuts and recruitment freeze by employing more staff this month. 

The paint brand is continuing its sustainability drive with new eco-refill paint pouches, which it claims "offer more than 70% reduction in landfill waste" when compared with the current standard 2.5 litre can. 

The GCA's Barometer of Trade for July reveals that garden centres are still relying on their catering operations to boost overall sales, as other categories struggle. 

Workwear brand gains exposure and reaches millions of viewers via 2012 series of Channel 5's Big Brother, as housemates don Mascot padded range for a week. 

New trend for 'cash mobbing' where customers visit a store en masse at an agreed time to spend money is gathering pace, recently boosting sales for US DIY store Crowder Bros Ace Hardware. 

Broadway characters from Marilyn Monroe to the Cowardly Lion and Mary Poppins entertained hundreds of visitors to the newest Wilko store in Crawley this morning, some of whom had camped out overnight to get the first look at the experimental new format. 

More than 70 retailers, suppliers and wholesalers from the home improvement industry took part in a charity clay pigeon shoot at the Royal Berkshire shooting school recently, raising more than £7,000. 

A general goods retailer in Eastbourne is hosting Santa's workshop this weekend, despite forecasters predicting up to 32C heat in the seaside town. 

The Derbyshire site of tableware manufacturer Denby is poised for a dramatic new development that will see the addition of a garden centre, hotel, pub and retail complex. 

A proposal to cut planning restrictions on retailers who want to install security shutters following the August 2011 riots has allegedly been scrapped by the government, for fear of creating "an unwelcoming environment" in towns. 

Next will continue the rollout of its new DIY and garden centre format when it launches a third outlet later this year. 

Independent stores in Wells, Somerset, are fighting back against competition from online traders by clubbing together and launching a joint ecommerce website. 

A number of centres operated by The Garden Centre Group will be the first in the market to take on Virgin Experience Days concessions. 

Wilkinson trials new store format in Crawley, adopting 'Wilko' name and featuring multi-channel offer with click and collect service. 

Power tool brand Dewalt has announced the launch of a targeted four-week campaign with the UK's biggest national commercial sports radio station, talkSPORT, to promote the launch of its 4.0Ah XR Lithium-Ion battery.