Swiss DIY stores up 4.8 per cent in the second quarter

DIY stores in Switzerland reported clear sales growth in the second quarter and were thus able to close the first half of the year with growth despite declining figures at the beginning of the year. In the second quarter, sales amounted to CHF 1.09 bn (EUR 1.17 bn), up 4.8 per cent on the same period last year (4.9 per cent on a like-for-like basis). From January to June, sales totalled CHF 1.81 bn (EUR 1.94 bn). This was 1.6 per cent more than in the same period last year, or 1.9 per cent more on a like-for-like basis. These figures from the GfK Total Store Report were published by the German DIY trade association BHB.

In Switzerland, as in Austria, gardening tools/watering and drainage products made a big leap (+12.8 per cent), followed by technology/office/entertainment (+11.1 per cent). The losers include building components (-6.1 per cent) and other products (-4.6 per cent).