Small is beautiful

B&Q: search for new markets and launch of a new small store format

Nervous about the future

Building products, environment, gardening and, of course, price competition – the UK’s DIY retailers have a lot on their plate

Castorama on Mickey’s doorstep

Castorama presents its 101st store with an unusual façade and a service offer that is also out of the ordinary

Obi is back in the game

For several years Germany’s biggest DIY retailer was primarily preoccupied with its own affairs. Now it intends to mark out its territory again

The future lies abroad

The majority of German DIY retailers improved their profit situation in 2009, though they forfeited sales in eastern Europe

Oh là là!

Until recently the French DIY market had known nothing but growth. Now for the first time is has contracted, though the DIY stores have continued to hold steady

Homework well done

DIY stores in comparison

The list of the top 100 retailers in the U.S. clearly shows which importance, but also which weaknesses the DIY store operators have

Hundreds of new and "green" products

This year's National Hardware Show in Las Vegas attracted the largest number of international buyers in many years

The sector is leaving its infancy

Home Depot prepared the way for the development of DIY in Mexico. Lowe's has also entered the market in the meantime. However, thousands of small …

Size is the name of the game

Gamma XXL is the name of the new format introduced by this Netherlands DIY group. Even shopping in the DIY segment is to be turned into an entertaining…

Home Depot today

A close look at the world's largest home center retailer

Holding steady despite the crisis

Despite the economic crisis the market volume of the DIY retail sector was down by no more than 1.5 per cent throughout Europe in 2009. This fact …

New products