Garden centre sales have lost some of the strong gains they made in Aug - Sept 2007 according to the most recent GCA Barometer of Trade. It also shows that over the last 12 months, sales of outdoor plants have fallen to less than 20% of garden centres’ turnover, while income from catering has increased to 15% and gifts continue to grow. See more... Read more

Brintex, organiser of Totally DIY and Totally Tools, has acquired Builders Merchant News and its associated publications. This offers new channels to garden manufacturers. See more... Read more

Prices will rise 10% or more next year. Will volumes decrease by an equivalent amount? No, say exhibitors and retailers at Glee, the garden industry can expect some growth next year. See more... Read more

The HTA is urging members of the garden industry to write to their MEP demanding an impact assessment before the European government approves legislation that would leave no chemical control products for most pests and diseases and leave growers in an impossible position. Read more

Scotts Miracle-Gro has bought the compost and growing media specialist, Humax. Over the next few months Scotts will integrate the Humax brands and operations into its own. See more... Read more

The half-year statement from Tesco says it is pushing on with plans to accelerate the expansion of Dobbies towards a national network of garden centres. Sales rose 12% including contributions from two new centres, Sandyholm and Southport. The business saw strong summer trading despite a wet August. Read more

William Sinclair Holdings has warned that its profits will be significantly lower than market expectations due to a failure of its peat harvest. As a result the final dividend will be cut. See more… Read more

A dispute between two manufacturers of ornamental Stone has surfaced at Glee as Redwood Stone warns retailers against buying unlawful products from its rival, Garden Dreams. See more... Read more

It has been reported that Worsley Hall Garden Centre will close having been sold to the property developer, Peel Holdings. See more... Read more

From the first of October householders will be required to get planning permission if they want to lay or re-lay a drive or paving in their front garden, unless they use a permeable solution. This is to ensure that no water will run off into the roads after a heavy storm. See more... Read more

From the 10th of the 10th it will no longer be legal for garden centres to sell Derris products. Consumers will have one year to use up what remains in the potting shed. See more... Read more

Jim Hagedorn, chairman and chief executive of Scotts Miracle-Gro has appointed a retailer as his new chief operating officer (COO). Mark Baker was president and CEO of Gander Mountain, a leading outdoor retailer in the US and before that he was with Home Depot. See more... Read more

Spotless UK. until recently known as Guaber, is to change its name again to Spotless Punch and expand its presence in the garden market. See more... Read more

Forest has announced a £2.5m restructuring that will see a major new development at Hartlebury and the closure of Eardisley. See more… Read more

Sir Tom Hunter is to assume the chairmanship of Wyevale with Nicholas Marshall, currently chief executive of Country Homes and Gardens taking over the role of chief executive officer. See more... Read more

The Grange Garden Centre at Asfordby Hill, Melton Mowbray, has called in the administrators. See more... Read more

Last week's GIMA meeting heard how Wilkinson has grown its share of the garden market from 2% to 6% in recent years. The target is to reach double figures within the next few years. See more... Read more

Paul Wright, managing director of the Frosts Garden Centre group, told this week's GIMA meeting that he feared little recovery for the next 18 months. However a major shake-up has put Frosts in a much stronger position. See more... Read more

Wyevale boss says the reduction in trade credit cover is an irrational, knee-jerk reaction to the banking crisis in Iceland. No supplier needs to worry about being paid. See more... Read more

Notcutts has acquired the six garden centres put up for sale by NWF earlier this year. See more… Read more

Leading garden timber manufacturer Hillhout has merged with Dutch brand and prominent industry player, Gouderak BV, to create one of the largest garden timber firms in Europe. Read more

Dudley Transport has suspended deliveries for two weeks while its owner, Kinglea Plants, rationalises its customer base. Uncertainty has also arisen over the financial security of Baugur, a shareholder in Wyevale. See more ... Read more

Collecting the Roy Hay Memorial award at this evening's Glee Dinner, Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, warned that "our industry will be the most important in the UK in the next 10 years, as food security becomes the next big issue." For more details and the other winners, see more... Read more

Dobbies has acquired a new garden centre site belonging to its Aberdeen rival, James Cocker & Sons. It plans to build its greenest garden centre yet. See more... Read more

Despite tough trading conditions Kingfisher has increased profits for the last six months at B&Q and internationally. See more... Read more

There is to be a name change for HART as Jessica Adams carries out major surgery at the group that provides services to smaller garden centres. See more... Read more

Today's trading statement from the Home Retail Group shows like-for-like sales at Homebase 10% lower than a year ago. In light of market conditions there will be a substantial write down in the value of Homebase assets. See more... Read more

Sir Tom Hunter showed his commitment to play an active role as the new chairman of Wyevale by hosting the launch of Plan Apple, its strategy for sustainable development. Today the group announced a ban on polystyrene trays. See more... Read more

Five northern garden centres have left the buying group Future Marketing with effect from the first of September. They will be working more closely together as the Trans-Pennine group. See more... Read more

It will be several years before William Sinclair loses its supply of peat from Bolton Fell following confirmation by Natural England that DEFRA had submitted the site to the EU as a potential SAC. See more... Read more