Less activity in the home

The consumer confidence that was steadily on the rise in Europe last year did not result in households tackling more DIY projects to modernize or renovate their homes. As revealed in the European Home Improvement Monitor from USP Marketing, the proportion of households that carried out some form of home improvement or renovation dropped from 14.5 per cent to 11.9 per cent when compared with January 2013. These figures include both DIY projects and jobs done by tradesmen. Normally the seasons have a strong influence on DIY activities, In addition to the level of consumer confidence.