Latest news from the home improvement and garden industry

Europe and North America

Ikea to open 20 small stores

In addition to its traditional Ikea stores, the international furniture chain will open 20 new small stores in Europe and North America. This is set to happen within the next six months, as Ingka Group, the largest Ikea…

Distribution12. March 2026

First store to open 14 March

Mr. DIY’s 15th destination is Romania

Romania will be Malaysian home goods powerhouse Mr. DIY’s 15th global location. The market will also be the third location for the Asian …

Distribution11. March 2026

Quality over quantity

International Hardware Fair takes stock

With around 33,000 trade visitors from 125 countries and around 2,500 exhibitors from 53 nations, the 2026 Eisenwarenmesse - International …

Events10. March 2026

121 new stores

Mr. DIY Malaysia post smaller revenue growth in 2025

Malaysia’s top home goods retailing chain Mr. DIY saw a 6.5 per cent rise in revenues last year, with new stores continuing to …

Distribution10. March 2026

Safety Gate Report 2025

Non-food products: Increasing warnings from the EU

In its “Safety Gate Report 2025“ the EU Commission reports 4,671 warnings from the rapid alert system for dangerous non-food …

Distribution10. March 2026

BHB forecast

"Very optimistic that 2026 will be better"

The German trade association BHB sees a "positive trend" for the DIY sector in Germany this year, explained BHB board spokesman Peter …

Distribution4. March 2026

"Got off lightly"

Sales at DIY stores in Germany fall by 1.6 per cent in 2025

The decline in sales at DIY stores in Germany continued in 2025. Total sales in the DIY sector fell by 1.6 per cent …

Distribution4. March 2026

November in Uzbekistan

Koelnmesse takes International Hardware Fair to Central Asia

Koelnmesse is expanding its portfolio with another offshoot of the International Hardware Fair, this time for Central …

Events4. March 2026

-0.5 per cent in nominal terms

German DIY retail starts the year with a slight decline in sales

According to preliminary results from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the DIY retail sector started the …

Distribution4. March 2026

10.9 per cent in the fourth quarter

Lowe's closes 2025/2026 with a 3.1 per cent increase

Lowe's, the second-largest home improvement retailer in the US and worldwide, closed its 2025/2026 financial year (ending 30 J…

Distribution27. February 2026

Obi

And the rodent lives on

Obi isn’t just tweaking its logo; it has embarked on a brand-wide transformation focused on …

Distribution

Sopro

Optimistic

In 2026, Sopro is placing a focus on the renovation business, both in the DIY and professional …

Suppliers

IPM Garden Study

Green Gets Under Your Skin

A new study shows: People want more escape from everyday life. This is where the garden trade can …

Garden

Sopro

Optimistic

In 2026, Sopro is placing a focus on the renovation business, both in the DIY and professional …

Suppliers21. May 2026

FN Neuhofer

A location that makes a statement

With its new plant in Pöndorf, FN Neuhofer is entering the new business field of plastics processin…

Suppliers19. May 2026

Obi

And the rodent lives on

Obi isn’t just tweaking its logo; it has embarked on a brand-wide transformation focused on …

Distribution14. May 2026

Ikea to open 20 small stores

Mr. DIY’s 15th destination is Romania

International Hardware Fair takes stock

Mr. DIY Malaysia post smaller revenue growth in 2025

Non-food products: Increasing warnings from the EU

"Very optimistic that 2026 will be better"

Sales at DIY stores in Germany fall by 1.6 per cent in 2025

Koelnmesse takes International Hardware Fair to Central Asia

German DIY retail starts the year with a slight decline in sales

Lowe's closes 2025/2026 with a 3.1 per cent increase

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And the rodent lives on

Optimistic

Green Gets Under Your Skin

Optimistic

A location that makes a statement

And the rodent lives on