Falling sales

In the second quarter of 2008 the DIY market in the United Kingdom fell by 7.7 per cent in value compared with the same months last year, according to GfK Marketing Services UK. The product area geared to specific rooms, comprising sales of kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms, declined by 11 per cent. A decline of 6.8 per cent was recorded in the decoration segment. The best progress was made by wallpaper (+2 per cent) and tiling (at last year’s level). The poorest results were recorded by the garden market (-12 per cent). GfK identified the worst sales deficits among summer houses and outdoor improvements, as well as in the leisure segment.