French DIYers rate DIY stores and their websites

When it comes to an actual purchase online, French DIYers prefer the websites of the big DIY store groups: A click & collect area in a Leroy Merlin store.

In France, the bricks and mortar stores of the DIY store operators continue to be the preferred shopping destination of DIY enthusiasts, although customers make extensive use of the Internet to acquire information before venturing into the stores. This is the verdict of a large-scale study now presented by the French DIY retail association FMB (Fédération des magasins de bricolage et de l'aménagement de la maison), which commissioned the study from the market research company Opinionway. According to the conclusion of the market researcher and the association, the two channels of stationary and online retailing thus complement one another.

In specific figures, 70 per cent of those surveyed carry out research online prior to making a purchase. However, the big DIY chain operators remain the first port of call even on the Internet. Their websites are the most frequently visited (37 per cent), well ahead of blogs specialising in DIY (16 per cent), pure players and marketplaces (8 per cent) or tips and opinions found on social networks (5 per cent).

When it comes to an actual purchase, the bricks-and-mortar stores are way out in front. 84 per cent of respondents indicated that they prefer these stores and 88 per cent said that they had also ultimately visited them to make the purchase. Topping the list in this case - preferred by 76 per cent and visited by 81 per cent - are the big DIY store groups. Smaller shops or DIY departments in department stores were only cited to a small extent.