Strong abroad

Following a relatively positive 2024, the generally poor consumer sentiment in 2025 once again caused problems for German DIY store operators. This is shown by initial figures from the new DIY & Garden Statistics 2026, which has now been published by Dähne Verlag. The result during the crisis is passable, but is certainly below expectations for many.

Whilst 2023, with its record decline in turnover both domestically and abroad, was still the worst year since data collection began in 1994, there seemed to be a glimmer of hope in 2024. However, the German DIY sector was unable to carry the nominal increase of 0.4 per cent from that year into 2025 – although the results for the top 20 companies varied. For most, however, it was not enough to achieve growth.

In 2025, the top 20 recorded a 1.7 per cent decline in their domestic and international business. From a purely mathematical perspective, this downturn is also due to the fact that Baywa AG divested its stake in the Austrian company RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria AG and its warehouses last year. Adjusted for this hypothetical difference in turnover, the decline would amount to just 0.03 per cent and would thus be negligible, despite the lack of overall growth.

This is thanks to the strong turnover figures from the major players. They have increased their turnover and driven expansion – particularly abroad. Abroad, some DIY chains achieved a turnover increase of more than 5 per cent. And if Baywa AG’s Austrian turnover were still in the mix here, the international balance could have been positive. This statistical effect explains the 2.9 per cent decline in international turnover.

In Germany, however, the total turnover of the top 20 DIY store operators declined not only in nominal terms but also in real terms. They closed their domestic business in 2025 with a decline of 1.3 per cent. Here too, there are exceptions among the top six DIY store operators, some of whom achieved an increase in turnover. However, these fortunate operators were far more successful abroad, where they each increased their number of sites and boosted turnover per site as well as their space productivity.

Overall, however, the six largest DIY store operators in Germany ended 2025 with a decline of 0.5 per cent. Their combined gross domestic turnover amounted to €19.435 billion. In the previous year, this stood at €19.533 billion, representing a 0.7 per cent decline compared with…