New competitors

In the United States independent hardware retailers are coming under increasing pressure through the expansion of big drug chains that offer low-cost, impulse-type …

Turkey's first warehouse-style Koctas store

Koçtas has opened its first warehouse-style DIY store in the greater Istanbul area after last year’s merger with B&Q, the DIY …

Exclusivity and advice

The concept of Expo Ambiente, a subsidiary of the Bauhaus group, is continuing to create a sensation. It is designed to appeal primarily to medium and high …

Vigorous expansion in the Netherlands

Hornbach has acquired two Intratuin garden centres that are being converted to the Hornbach concept. Four new megastores are also at the …

Anniversary for Baumax

Over the past 25 years Baumax has progressed from Austrian builders' merchant to international DIY retail chain

The euro is coming

Wealth on the upswing in central and eastern Europe

GfK study reveals purchasing power in 40 European countries

Retailers see off the worst

After a difficult few years the British DIY market has regained some of its former strength, and is now moving ahead with a renewed sense of optimism

A story almost without end

Having acquired a piece of land in Alblasserdam in the Netherlands as long ago as 1997, Hornbach only managed to open its ninth DIY store in that country…

Speedy expansion

Baucenter, the Russian DIY chain, has six stores in operation at the moment. The company intends to have 30 outlets throughout the country by 2011

Croatia now Obi territory

The German franchise group opened its first DIY store in Croatia in July of this year. The intention is to build up a country-wide network of outlets over…

Green opportunity for retailers?

Andrew Ross, DIY in Europe, UK B&Q has made history in the UK as the first retailer to offer domestic wind turbines and solar panels on the …

Positive development continues

The European parquet industry in 2006

Positive balance for Obi

The 2006/2007 financial year brought record sales for the German company. Growth occurred mainly abroad