Trend reversal in Austria

The GfK market research company observed a clear upward trend for the Austrian do-it-yourself market in July. The sector reported sales that were 7.5 per cent higher than in the same month last year, and 4.5 per cent higher than the preceding month. This was down to the garden ranges in particular, which were 23 per cent above the comparable figure for last year. The garden irrigation category achieved a top result with an increase of 56 per cent; the demand for garden hoses and sprinklers above all more than doubled. Insecticides also recorded a strong increase. July brought a total trend reversal for garden furniture. Whereas the sales trend in the first six months had been negative, in July it achieved growth of 38 per cent on the comparable period last year.