The Homebase Productivity Plan will mean closer interaction with Argos and the closure of about 80 stores as the retailer seeks to become a multichannel leader in home improvement. Read more

Wyevale faces massive opposition from local traders as the group seeks to amend its planning permission at Heighley Gate garden centre. UPDATE - Permission has been granted Read more

Having ousted its tenant, Capital Gardens, the National Trust will officially reopen Morden Hall Park next month as a peat free garden centre. It claims to be the UK’s first but is it? Read more

Haskins CEO, Julian Winfield, challenged the industry focus on engaging young people. He also said he does not believe e-commerce is necessary for a business to be successful. Read more

Toolbank’s distribution agreement with Crest Garden has given it a platform to dig into the garden market. Garden centre buyers are being invited to register for the distributor’s spring trade shows. Read more

“One” Kingfisher is the goal for the new CEO as she seeks to bring its businesses together to create a Europe wide offer. Gardening and bathrooms are first on the list. Also, B&Q is to close 60 stores. Read more

Scotts has launched a free mobile app in the USA that gives users their own lawn care plan.  It could be adpated for the UK. Read more

Sales director David Higginson has purchased the entire share capital of Evesham-based New Leaf following Peter Hoddinott’s retirement and plans are underway to resite the company at Hill View Nurseries in nearby Sedgeberrow. Read more

Hayes pilots a nationwide delivery service for online sales having nearly completed a £5m re-development project. Last season it sold over £500,000 Christmas trees online. Read more

End of year results from Home Retail show Homebase closed 30 stores in the last 12 months. 2015 sales have started lower. Read more

It has been announced that Home & Garden has acquired its 8th garden centre but the group, which was formed only last year, is not well known within the industry. Read more

One year into a 3 year expansion project and Carr Farm Garden Centre has opened a restaurant and two new concessions. Read more

Members of the Garden Centre Association started 2015 positively with sales up 6%, building on the 13% increase in January 2014.   However one in three garden centres missed out. Read more

A new website for Westland, Showa’s bio-degradable gardening gloves, Eden Project seeds, a 10,000 strong Facebook community of Garden Goddesses and Hozelock’s electric weed killer were some of the innovations on show at the Garden Press event. Read more

Continuing a campaign started last year DLF Trifolium accuses some competitors of continuing to cut corners by bulking out their lawn seed blends with unsuitable low grade seeds. Read more

Nicola Gammon’s Shoot is seeking to raise £350,000 from a crowdfunding website. She has raised over 50% in less than a week. Read more

Each week, discounter B&M is opening new home & garden stores across the country as it aims to double number of sites to 850. Many are in sites vacated by Homebase. Read more

The £6.4 billion loss announced by Tesco included a £116 million write-down in goodwill and other impairments of UK businesses.  £83m related to Dobbies. Read more

Alan Roper, managing director of Blue Diamond, told suppliers to “knock our door down if you have products that are right for us” as he outlined his vision for the future to GIMA members.  This includes arranging the funding for a major acquisition. Read more

Glee should be at capacity this year with increased bookings and well-known names returning. New features will include the Retail Power List and the PetQuip Village. Read more

With weather forecasters predicting a scorching Easter weekend, says Worldpay, Britain’s garden centres could see record-breaking trade in the next four weeks. Landscapers are also having a good time. Read more

Online garden furniture retailer White Stores has opened its first concession at Yarnton Nurseries Garden Centre in Oxfordshire as a pilot. Read more

See pictures of the new Percy Thrower’s, the first garden centre designed by the current Wyevale management.  Week one sales shot it into the group’s top five. Read more

Headline speakers at next month’s GIMA day conference include Julian Winfield and Conna Powles from Haskins Garden Centres, and Alan Roper of Blue Diamond Group. Read more

Bayer has failed in its attempt to sue Friends of the Earth Germany over its claims that thiacloprid, a pesticide manufactured by Bayer, harms bees. Read more

The Telegraph speculates that the new chief executive of Kingfisher, who faces pressure on all fronts, will introduce major changes including store closures and modernising at B&Q. Read more

William Sinclair has announced the departure of Peter Rush as chief executive with immediate effect.  He is replaced by a turnaround specialist after a poor start to the spring.

Scotts Miracle-Gro is spending £7.5m this spring and summer on TV campaigns to drive customers in store.  The advertising will start to air week commencing 30th March. Read more

The growing presence of online retailers was clear at the Garden Press Event with two established sites and two newcomers, one launched at the show and one being mysterious about its launch plans. Read more

Comments by Wyevale’s CEO, amplified by press speculation, have set the garden rumour mill turning at full speed.  It appears that many are expecting a Dobbies purchase any day.  They seem likely to have a long wait. Read more