Great Britain and Ireland - GfK

Post-recession growth

Three per cent growth in the DIY market and ten per cent in the garden market – that’s the outcome of a survey of the British market in 2014 by market …

Hagebau

Expansion into Spain

The German cooperative Hagebau now has two Spanish retail groups on board as partners

Hornbach

Compact confidential

Hornbach is now testing a small-format and multichannel concept in Germany aimed at do-it-yourself enthusiasts and professionals. The rest of the sector is …

France/Italy/Spain

Simply the best

A survey conducted by USP has found that French, Italian and Spanish consumers all agree that Leroy Merlin offers the best service and shopping environment

Great Britain and Ireland

In brief

USA

There’s more to come

Major American retailers are focusing more effort on web sales. DIY retailers are achieving remarkable growth rates online

The future is British

Everyone’s biggest competitor

Who could have guessed, back in 1995, that a guy selling a few books online, almost out of his garage, would develop into the world's most aggressive…

Saturated markets - Ace Hardware

In the face of giants

Surviving in a large chain dominated and often saturated market: The new concept from Ace Hardware and other examples from the USA

Saturated markets - Switzerland

Holding its own

Switzerland has had DIY stores right from the start and the international competition came later. Different formats and concepts are now fighting to win over …

Saturated markets - Great Britain

World of endless choice

When one talks about the subject of “home”, it’s more about emotion than function. This is also the chance for retailers and suppliers in the fiercely …

Saturated markets - Germany

Germany is the new New York

In spite of really tough competition, Germany is an interesting target for foreign DIY chain operators. In the words of the old Sinatra song, “If I can …

Baumax

A possible sale is looking more likely

Will Baumax be sold or not? Will the brand remain or will it be dissolved? A lot of questions about Austria’s number one DIY retailer

Russia

Lingering uncertainty

The Russian economy is feeling the weight of sanctions. Is that true of the DIY trade too?