However he also draws a mixed picture from the current situation. While the development in Australasia, Eastern and Western Europe and also North America is more positive, he says that it is somewhat worse for the home improvement industry in Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. But there will also be a rebound there, says Botter.
Generally speaking, according to his analysis, Covid-19 has had two main impacts: Botter speaks, on the one hand, of a "home as a hub" - "Covid brought back the DIY approach," which resulted in the do-it-for-me trend collapsing. "We think that this is going to slow down," says Botter.
The second major impact of Covid-19 is the strengthening of the digital channel. The home improvement industry has always been somewhat behind in this sense, he explains. Botter sees the pressure to now follow suit as an opportunity. "It is not an option, it is essential," is his assessment.