INDUSTRY COMMENT: YEAR IN REVIEW
FULL STEAM AHEAD INTO AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE
After enjoying a DIY boom during the coronavirus pandemic, the past twelve months have very much been about consolidation and getting back to some kind of normality. The current economic conditions and resulting cost of living crisis have dominated the news headlines at home, whilst global issues such as the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza have continued to cause uncertainty and disruption to supply chains. But it’s really the economy that been the main problem affecting retail businesses in most sectors including ours. However, it’s not all doom and gloom; despite rising interest rates coupled with high energy, fuel and food prices putting a squeeze on the public’s finances and slowing down the housing market, people are still keen to improve their current properties and make the most of where they live. Decorating decisions and interior design choices are becoming increasingly influenced by social media, so we’ve seen a move by many brands towards marketing on these platforms, with direct links to online sales via promotions really taking off. The gardening and outdoor living segments have also continued to do well this year, with customers keen to spend more time outside and make the most of their outdoor space. So as usual at this time of year, it’s time for our panel of industry experts to reflect on the challenges and successes of the last twelve months and look forward to what may be in store during 2024…
START 2024 WITH A FRESH LOOK AT HOW TO GARDEN
Graham Paskett Managing Director, Paskett PR
By now there can be very few realistic people left who do not accept that we are going through an unprecedented
period of climate change. The most common feature of this are rising global temperatures, clearly illustrated by well sourced predictions that 2024 will be the warmest year on record. But we gardeners know
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all to well that climate change also produces regular periods of torrential rain, followed by drought, high winds and gales and hale. Add to this mix the necessity to improve sustainability. As gardeners who grow fruit and vegetables, we are already helping reduce the impact of food miles – as well as providing our families and friends with totally sustainable fresh produce. There are many other things we can do in an effort to reduce global warming and improve sustainability, such as reducing our reliance on plastic trays and ties and replacing them with more environmentally and sustainable solutions. Where possible collect your own
seeds; I also grow other plants from seed and it is doubly exciting to see them coming through. Harvest rainwater in water butts. Yes, I know that most of them are plastic but they do last donkey’s years. Whenever possible compost garden and vegetable kitchen waste. It does, I know, produce greenhouse gas emissions but this is offset against new, packaged compost. Basically reuse and recycle whatever you can in the garden, rather than buy new. Enjoy your gardening and
remember that by doing some, or all of the above, plus your own ways of helping the environment, you and your customers will be making a difference and benefiting us all.
CELEBRATING A DECADE OF SUCCESS
Clive & Kerry Daley Owners, The Daley Hub
Christmas is a time of reflection, and we are thrilled that Daley Hub this year marked 10-years! It has been fab looking back at our incredible journey over the past decade. Firstly, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has helped, advised, worked with us, partnered with us. You have been integral to our success. We presently have two amazing associates, Daryl Bennett expert copywriter and brand strategist and Karl Thomas head of consumer products. What they both do not know about creating great content and launching products into the market is not worth knowing. We are so very grateful to have you two on our team.
Looking ahead to the future, we
have recently become a business service provider for BHETA. Thank you for having us, and we are so excited to be launching a webinar ‘Building a resilient supply chain’ where we will be sharing our unique view of the supply chain and showing you how and where you can make improvements. This will be aired in December with the Global DIY Summit team and then with BHETA on 21st February. Whilst many of the supply chain issues settled themselves through 2023, industry has realised that resilience and excellence in our supply chains is now compulsory. Businesses should now be driving to balance their sourcing strategy, free up cash through reduced working capital and deliver more profit through better trading terms. There is therefore no time for
respite, no time to sooth the aches and pains from the stormy last few years, it is full steam ahead with the continued improvements that are required… whilst navigating more storms that are likely to come.
DECEMBER 2023 DIY WEEK 13
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