OBI: Plans for expansion in China

The German market leader OBI is planning a massive campaign of expansion in China: the number of stores is to increase from the current total of …

Selling wood, not forests

B&Q specifies FSC certification to its suppliers, but wants all schemes to focus more on the needs of retailers

Bridging a gap in the market

Security chests from Sentry now offer protection against water and fire. What is more, the company is presenting a new concept for promoting sales of …

Expansion of European involvement

Wayne-Dalton, the American manufacturer of sectional garage doors, is setting out to revolutionise the consumer market in Europe with its new c…

France: Forecast for the window market 2003

Market researchers Interconnection of Vienna are forecasting slight growth for the French window market in 2003. There are, however, …

Sights set on higher income customers

Two major American DIY retail chains are trying their hand at somewhat different concepts

Upswing expected

Since last year the hardware/home centre industry in the United States has been doing remarkably well in contrast to the general economic trend

The 30 biggest DIY multiples in Europe

Bricorama in Benelux under the Gamma flag

The French operators have brought their 23 Brico-rama outlets under the Gamma umbrella as a way of  preserving their interests in the …

B&Q’s Asian dawn

Europe’s leading DIY retailer has ambitious goals: it is now beginning an unparalleled policy of expansion in China, Taiwan and Korea

Hornbach has made history

Hornbach, the family-run company that is listed on the stock exchange, is celebrating its 125th anniversary and looking back over a multi-faceted history

UK: Quarterly retail spending, 2000-2002

Retail spending (£bn)Year-on year growth rates2000 Q12.8312000 Q23.4722000 Q32.8442000 Q42.880Total12.0272001 Q12.9423.92001 Q23.8069.6200…

Growth in France

The year 2001 was a particularly successful one for the DIY multiples

Giant in Canada

Canadian Tire is positioned halfway between discounters and specialist stores. Its closest competitor is the Canadian division of Home Depot