Less shrinkage

The 6th European Retail Theft Barometer reveals that the overall shrinkage rates of the European retail sector in 2006 continued downward

In the service of the customer

America’s retailers are increasingly going for self-checkouts in their stores. Are these really customer-friendly, or just a welcome opportunity to …

Brico's first neighbourhood store

Brico, the market leader in Belgium, is operating its first Brico City in Brussels. The range of products on offer is geared to the needs of city …

Ambitious expansion

The Russian DIY chain Metrika is not only intro-ducing new store formats but also planning a programme of nationwide expansion. The aim for this year alone is a…

Opening of first Bricor store

El Corte Inglés, the Spanish mass merchandising giant, has launched its first DIY store not far from Madrid. It is called Bricor, and concentrates on …

Spanish market on the move

A totally different Praktiker

Praktiker is accelerating its expansion in Romania, launching four new stores during last December alone. In comparison with Germany, decoration and …

Slight improvement in global sales

The year 2006 saw sales of laminate flooring increase above all in western and eastern Europe. In contrast, a slump was recorded in the US

Green growth markets

Consumer spending on flowers and plants is on the increase, especially in eastern Europe and countries of southern Europe and Scandinavia

Growth in the North

The DIY retail chains in the countries of northern Europe are currently experiencing a period of very good progress overall

Keenly contested market

Danes are enthusiastic DIYers. They have the necessary money in their pockets, and are happy to spend it as well. So the market is growing, but the pressure…

No bars to shopping fun

A GfK survey from May 2006 indicates that 83 per cent of European consumers want to be able to help themselves easily to goods before making up their mind …

Turning Maxibrico into Weldom 

The French Schiever Group, which has 30 DIY stores, is joining the Domaxel buying organisation with its Weldom trading brand

Imports only within limits    

The Italian DIY format Brico Italia follows a carefully thought-out growth policy, stocks an exacting range of branded products and is not keen on …