Foretaste of changes to come

Up to now four DIY multiples have been operating in Switzerland. All of them Swiss.  However, the indigenous groups are no longer among themselves: …

France as a DIY nation

Do-it-yourself activities developed at an explosive rate in France between 1969 and 1999. This is the conclusion reached by a representative market survey …

Good opportunities

Private labels are growing in importance in European DIY sales. However, their acceptance varies markedly from country to country

A branch in a state of flux

Globalisation and service were at the heart of the third BHB DIY superstore congress in Berlin

Record growth for Kingfisher

Not only new openings and acquisitions were behind the rapid rise in sales registered by the European number one in the DIY sector. Nor are the …

Gamma in a fragmented DIY landscape

Gamma with its turnover of around BEF 4 400 Mio and 45 stores is one of the top five in Belgium. For the past two years Rudi Petit-Jean has been…

Another Praktiker for Turkey

Praktiker opened its first DIY superstore in the metropolis of Istanbul on 1 April. Plans for further expansion show that the Kirkel-based group sees …

The Belgian paradox

Great potential in Spain

Spain is one of the countries with the greatest development potential, even though the DIY multiples have brought many changes to the Spanish DIY market

Founding of European Retail Association

The European DIY Retail Association (EDRA) was founded in Berlin on the eve of the fourth international BHB DIY Store Congress

Expansion of international presence

Ace Hardware, now America’s largest hardware wholesaler, is continuing to pursue its goal of international expansion

Better quality from the Far East

Praktiker is continuing to take the offensive: following the slashing of almost 700 prices, there now comes a ten-year guarantee on the special …

NBB celebrates 20th anniversary

It is 20 years since the NBB Dienstleistungs-Aktiengesellschaft (AG) launched its DIY retail line with the Bauspezi concept. Today the group has …

B&Q claims success with Dublin store

Despite major opposition, B&Q has finally entered the Irish DIY market – a move anticipated by observers for at least the past …