East and West

Demand for floor coverings

Ceramic floors are the most popular type of flooring in European homes, followed by wooden floors and laminate. Five out of ten people want to change …

Just how ecological are France’s DIYers?

The latest Unibal study of consumer behaviour identifies five types of environmental awareness among DIYers

The current DIY store structure in Switzerland  

Over recent years several German companies, Bauhaus, Hornbach and Obi, have strengthened their presence in Switzerland  

How to survive in a very tough market

Germany: still the nation of DIYers

Once again Germany was by far the biggest market for DIY products in Europe in 2008. As shown by the European Consumer Barometer 2009, a survey …

Strong growth of store numbers

DIY retailers in Germany continued to expand strongly again in 2008, both at home and abroad. Their new openings are carrying on the trend towards …

Exposed position

Augsburg is where Bauhaus opened its latest outlet in Germany. The company is especially proud of the store's Town Garden, Bathroom World and Drive-In Arena

A little more floorspace now for the superstores

With a total of 2 376 otlets, the DIY superstore market in France gained more in area than in number during 2008. Any opportunities…

Ace faces up to new challenges

Having overcome recent financial problems Ace Hardware, the world's biggest hardware wholesaler, has developed new programmes for its members

Partnering the industry for 20 years

Growth from 2010

Difficult times

The DIY sector in the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway and Finland is suffering in the turmoil of the financial crisis. Despite this, new DIY store openings are …

Denmark: In the shadow of the financial crisis

The worldwide economic turbulence is not sparing the Danish DIY industry