COMMENT Offering choice and advice
No 5,871 - 14 February 2020
www.diyweek.net
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“Far from relegating pest controls to the dark, quiet corner of the store, it may well be worth bringing
them further forward”
Founded in 1874
I’ve never had much call for pest control products I’m pleased to say, and judging by our latest online poll, they are not the biggest sellers. However, while not a major line, they still have their place in the DIY or housewares store. Offering customers a good range of products and being able to provide buying advice is crucial to maximising sales, so in this issue’s pest control range review we have guidance from both the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) and the Crop Protection Association (CPA) on the legality of various pesticides to ensure you are offering customers safe products that will still do their job effectively and safely. Coincidentally, as I was putting this issue together I encountered a pest problem of my own. Due to my dog showing a particular interest in my under sink kitchen cupboard, I decided to investigate and to my surprise found evidence that a mouse had been present. There was what looked like grain amongst the usual collection of cleaning products and sure enough a few droppings, something no one wants to find indoors, let alone in a kitchen cupboard. Upon further inspection, I realised that the visiting rodent had been enjoying the contents of a heat bag. It was actually a bit of mess, so I had to clean the cupboard out and also consider some pest control. It was when shopping for a suitable solution that I realised just how many products are available and what a minefield it can be. Whether you want to be ‘humane’ and find a live capture trap, or use a rodenticide, the choice is vast and quite bewildering. And this is just for one type of pest, add in all the others that you might typically find in the house or garden and you realise that to be able to tackle them all requires quite a range of products and therefore offers sales opportunities. Far from relegating pest controls to the dark, quiet corner of the store, it may well be worth bringing them further forward and offering customers a good choice of products, while perhaps more importantly, providing them with advice on what each offer and how to use them properly and safely. Speaking of choosing products, as we send this issue to press we are preparing for this
year’s DIY Week Awards supplier category judging. Our expert panel will be sifting through a wide range of innovative new products and have the difficult task of choosing the winners. All will be revealed at the awards ceremony that takes place on 1 May at the Tower Hotel in London. I do hope many of you will be able to join us, so please visit the event’s website at
www.diyweekawards.co.uk for all the details you need.
Director of Editorial, Neil Mead:
DIYWeek@Datateam.co.uk In This Issue P4 / NEWS
The latest headlines from across the home improvement and garden sectors
P8 / RETAILING LEGISLATION
How can DIY and housewares retailers avoid prosecution under the Offensive Weapons Act?
We are proud to sponsor the Rainy Day Trust
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P12 / REVIEW: SPRING FAIR 2020
With a revamped layout and new features, this year’s Spring Fair was once again the place to visit
www.diyweek.net P18 / PEST CONTROL
It might not be the most exciting topic or fastest moving line, but pest control still plays an important role
14 FEBRUARY 2020 DIY WEEK 3 Published by
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