Increase of half of one per cent in Switzerland

Aggregate gross sales of € 1.91 bn were recorded by Swiss DIY stores in 2014, equivalent to growth of 0.5 per cent, according to the industry association BHB. Taking a broader definition of the market (association survey) as the basis, the sector registered a decline of around 1.5 per cent in sales.
The association is assuming growth of 0.5 to 1.0 per cent in Switzerland for fiscal 2015, primarily bearing in mind the decision of the Swiss National Bank on 15 January 2015 to revoke the fixed exchange rate with the euro of SFR 1.20. Negotiations are currently underway with suppliers to set new purchase prices and in consequence to formulate a national pricing policy. The effects on shopping traffic close to the border also have to be taken into consideration.