COMMENT When the going gets tough...


No 5,873 - 20 March 2020 www.diyweek.net


Director of Editorial: Neil Mead 01622 687031 DIYWeek@datateam.co.uk


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In This Issue P4 / NEWS


The latest headlines and breaking stories from across the home improvement and garden sectors


P11 / RETAILING


Advice on how retailers can reactivate abandoned website shopping baskets and increase online sales


“The DIY industry could


unwittingly provide a welcome distraction and play a key role in the nation’s return to health.”


Founded in 1874


As I write this issue’s editorial comment we are facing the biggest and most serious threat to public health in a generation. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting everyone and dramatically changing our way of life and challenging many of the things that we take for granted. While people clear the shelves in the supermarkets, as they stock up on food and other essentials in preparation for what may be a long time in self-isolation, many other retail businesses have been hit particularly hard by a dramatic downturn in sales. Even some household names have issued revenue and profit warnings and are now fighting for survival. At a time when the high street was already suffering, the current crisis could be the final nail in the coffin for some struggling retailers. To give the Government credit, it has stepped up and promised to support businesses and their staff through this incredibly difficult time and is asking people to take its advice and work together to overcome what has become a serious threat to our very existence. Measures already announced in the recent Budget have now been backed up further by a massive £330 billion rescue package of loan guarantees to help UK business survive and the government may yet have to do even more in order to keep its pledge of support. The Bank of England has also dramatically cut interest rates to their lowest possible level in order to further stimulate the economy and reassure the financial markets. These economic lifelines will take time to reach retailers, but hopefully they will help the sector to get through this tough time and come out the other side ready to rebuild their businesses as things get back to normal. Retailers have always shown remarkable resilience and played a huge part in the country’s economy and there’s no doubt that once we are in the recovery position they will do so again. But as we face this unprecedented pandemic situation, which is stressful and scary for all of us, I’m pleased to say that the majority of people are managing to remain positive. I’ve even heard some declare that a period of forced isolation will give them time to undertake some decorating and finish odd jobs around the house, so the DIY industry could unwittingly provide a welcome distraction and some light relief from all the doom and gloom and play a key role in the nation’s return to health.


Director of Editorial, Neil Mead: DIYWeek@Datateam.co.uk


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P14 / RANGE REVIEW: DECORATING


The top three DIY trends for 2020: We explore how structure, colour and design will change this year


www.diyweek.net P20 / RANGE REVIEW: BATHROOMS


A full report from this year’s kbb trade show that enjoyed a record number of visitors through the door


20 MARCH 2020 DIY WEEK 3 Published by


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