Customers prefer DIY stores to online shopping

The fears of DIY store operators in Europe regarding online shops appear to be unfounded, according to the market research company USP. One result from the European Home Improvement Monitor indicates that most customers who shop in DIY stores (for purchases in excess of € 500) don’t make any price comparisons with online shops beforehand. This is most true of the Belgians (32 per cent) and the Swedes (35 per cent). The opposite applies to some countries, however: 58 per cent of Italians and 64 per cent of Poles compare prices.
According to the survey, customers prefer to rely on the offline world when looking for information on DIY store products. On average they rate advice from a member of the sales staff or professional or also a visit to a DIY store or showroom as most important. If they go online, they use Google in the first instance.