COMMENT The final push


No 5,882 - November 2020 www.diyweek.net


Director of Editorial: Neil Mead 07976 255274


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“The fact that the industry enjoyed a boom last year is borne out by the results of various surveys”


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Running a business has certainly been extra challenging this year, so we’re lucky that the DIY and home improvement sector has been able to continue trading through most of the pandemic. Even though we’ve had to make huge changes to working and trading practices, we have come through it and emerged in much better shape than many others less fortunate. So following a good year in 2019, this year has been more of a damage limitation exercise. The fact that the industry enjoyed a boom last year is borne out by the results of various surveys which show that the DIY, home improvement and housewares sector grew significantly, with the latest Global Home Improvement Report showing a 4.2 percent global growth, taking the market revenue to over 600 billion euros. North America and Europe combined represent approximately 86.6 percent of this market, although their joint population accounts for only 16 percent of the world population. The DIY markets of these two continents alone totalled 535 billion euros in 2019, an increase of 3.68 percent over the 2018 value of 516 billion euros. See our lead news story on p4 for more details. Add to this the news from another survey that half of Brits intend to spend £47 billion on home improvements in 2021, and the future is looking very bright, despite the difficulties that we’ve endured during 2020. But the good news doesn’t end there, yet another survey claims that the slowdown in the


property market, with homeowners nervous and reluctant to move, bodes well for the DIY and home improvement sector. So everything is pointing towards a very positive start to next year, which does provide a bit of comfort and something to look forward to as we say goodbye and good riddance to this awful year. So as we look to the future, in this issue we have some great advice on setting prices and


promoting products from independent business development consultant, Andy Campbell. We’ve also investigated what you should look for when investing in a marketing partner for your business. And with image and marketing more important then ever these days, choosing the right way to promote your company and products could make all the difference to your success. Also, when it comes to making sure you have the right products at the right time, having a strong and resilient supply chain is something that shouldn’t be overlooked and you can find out more about managing yours in our feature on p24.


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


© 2020 Datateam Business Media Ltd. DIY Week incorporates Decor Retailing, DIY Retail Leaders, DIY Superstore, Do-It-Yourself


Retailing, Domestic Electrical Appliances,


Excellence In Garden Retailing, Excellence In Woodcare Retailing, Excellence In Timber Retailing, Excellence In Tile Retailing, Garden Retail Leaders, Garden Retailing, Hardware Merchandiser, Hardware Trade Journal, Homecentre, Home Storage Retailing, The Ironmonger, Ironmongery & Hardware, Lighting, Martineau & Smith’s Monthly Circular, Mercantile Guardian, Superstore Management, Tools Retailing, and Wholesale Leaders. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission from the publishers. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published in DIY Week. However, Datateam Business Media Ltd will not be liable for any inaccuracies. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publishers. DIY Week is registered at Stationers’ Hall. ISSN 0954-8823. DIY Week is printed on environmentally friendly paper; both text paper and cover stock are elementary chlorine free and sourced from paper suppliers with a well planned environmental policy. This issue of DIY Week includes some editorial photographs provided and paid for by suppliers. Printed by Buxton Press.


P4 / NEWS


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


P13 / BUSINESS INSIGHT


What to look for when you want to take your business to the next level by investing in a marketing partner


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P18 / DECORATING


How to use the latest trend colours in the home and what the ‘in shades’ are going to be next year


www.diyweek.net P20 / INDUSTRY INTERVIEW


DIY Week speaks to the founders of flooring innovator, IOBAC to discuss their new venture, FloorPlay


NOVEMBER 2020 DIY WEEK 3 Published by


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