DIY sales down

The Swiss retail trade stagnated in the first half of 2009. Compared with the period in the previous year, sales fell by 0.6 per cent, according to a study by the GfK market research organisation. The so-called “NearFood” market declined by 1 per cent. On the other hand, sales of pet food and pet accessories increased by 1 per cent in this segment. In the “NonFood” market, DIY sales in Switzerland declined by 1.6 per cent; the home segment shrank by 3 per cent, with furniture (-5 per cent) and home textiles (-4 per cent) emerging as the biggest losers. The GfK Market Monitor Switzerland is a new development by IHA-GfK Switzerland in collaboration with over 30 retail companies.