Strong demand

GfK Marketing Services Germany has established that the German market for hand-held power tools grew strongly from January to October 2007 compared with the same period last year. It was not only the DIY superstores that succeeded in increasing their sales quite considerably (+11.4 per cent), but traditional trade as well (+12.8 per cent). Altogether a sales volume of € 513 mio was achieved in the first nine months. As reasons for this positive development the GfK mentions the growth in the German construction sector, increased consumer demand for products for renovation work, and the underlying positive economic trend.