1.   They say the onset of spring makes tools and other gardening equipment prime targets for thieves.

2.   Apart from a few huge malls near Frankfurt and Cologne, big suburban stores tend to be specialty shops for furniture, carpeting, or gardening equipment.

3.   Its gardening equipment is stored in a garage in another town, Malverne.

4.   Sales last week were weaker at discounters on lower-than-expected demand for seasonal merchandise such as gardening equipment.