EVENT REPORT: GLOBAL DIY SUMMIT 2026 T


he 2026 Global DIY Summit was held in


Amsterdam in the Netherlands, a country with a population of


million, ownership of 24 million bikes and 37,000Km of cycle lanes. They have recently seen a 15 per cent decline in store numbers but only a four per cent decline in store space, so basically bigger shops! This year’s summit also carried a sense of transition and reflection, as the 1,204 delegates attended to listen to 15 industry speakers give their opinions and offer


18


INDUSTRY LEADERS MAP OUT A SECTOR IN RAPID TRANSITION


expert


market advice. The community also said farewell to long-serving figures whose contributions have helped define the industry’s collaborative foundations. A major moment of recognition was given to John W Herbert, EDRA/ GHIN General Secretary, who’s stepping down after 24 years with EDRA and as one of its co-founders. He was given a standing ovation from the crowd and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. His impact was acknowledged across the global DIY community, with the organisation noting: “Your impact has been felt across the global community, and your dedication has helped drive our industry forward.” In characteristically light- hearted fashion, Herbert’s response was: “Everything comes to an end, except a sausage.”


Looking ahead, Michel Salaun ADEO Corporate Development Director, who will succeed Herbert as General Secretary of EDRA/ GHIN, described the road ahead as “exciting” and emphasised his intention to build on the strong foundation established over past decades.


The summit also marked a transition in leadership, as Thierry Garnier, was recognised for his instrumental role in launching the Scope 3 ‘Make It Zero’ initiative. His successor, now EDRA President Erwin Van Osta, stressed the importance of collaboration: “It’s about teamwork and finding solutions to complex challenges. Our ability to come together, share experiences


and make stronger


business through collaboration.” He also introduced the new


President of HIMA, Caroline Van der Voort, who paid tribute to outgoing leader Reinhard Wolff and highlighted HIMA’s role representing 1,000 manufacturers across


Europe during its 25th


anniversary year. She emphasised that her role is rooted in collaboration: “My role is to help bring voices together – don’t do this


10 DIY WEEK JULY 2026


Professionals from across the DIY and home improvement industry gathered for the 12th time at the Global DIY Summit with a shared purpose: to learn, share experiences, challenge thinking, and help shape the future of the sector. Kerry and Clive Daley from Daley Hub report from this year’s event which had a theme of “Accelerating in a New Global Reality – Building collective awareness for a fast-changing world.”


guidance, and confidence at the point of purchase.


the


production volatility, and housing affordability challenges are all interconnected forces shaping household spending.


Above: Ben Lainton, Andy Newman & Steve Collinge


alone. Make it zero. Make it matter.” Finally, attendees were introduced Alexandre Laubie the new


to


Managing Director of the Global DIY Summit, marking another step in the event’s ongoing evolution.


Setting the tone


The first speaker was Dr Ira Kalish, Chief Global Economist at Deloitte, set the tone for the event with a sobering overview of the forces likely to shape the months and years ahead. Inflationary pressure may remain more persistent than many expect. Energy supply constraints, ongoing food


He commented that interest rates were rising across the world with tighter monetary policies, so even if the conflicts were to settle soon it would take time to get back to pre-conflict levels. Worryingly he highlighted the recent impact on fertilizer supplies that would affect crop yields, but we would only see this in food inflation in 10 months’ time. For DIY retailers, the implication is straightforward: discretionary spending remains under pressure. Higher living


costs reduce the


flexibility consumers have for home improvement projects, while weaker


housing affordability


continues to delay home ownership in many markets. The result is a customer base that is either delaying, downsizing, or rethinking projects entirely placing increased importance on value,


Eliminating customer friction Against this backdrop, Joost De Deijter, CEO of Intergamma, focused on how retailers can still grow by eliminating customer friction rather than relying on market expansion. His central argument was that winning retailers are those who deeply understand the barriers preventing purchase decisions and systematically removing them. In paint, for example, the biggest challenge is not product availability but choice overload. Intergamma addressed this by developing its own colour systems, investing in mixing technology, and strengthening in-store expertise through specialist training. The result is a more guided and confident customer journey. In


window coverings,


measurement uncertainty is a major barrier to purchase. By introducing measurement


support and


structured training, the company reduced hesitation and increased conversion, while also taking share from specialist providers. The message was consistent:


“Growth comes from solving real customer problems, not adding more product complexity.”


Practical uses for AI


Artificial intelligence featured prominently throughout the summit, but the tone was practical rather than speculative. Intergamma


showcased to how


AI is already embedded in retail operations, from digital product assistance


in-store navigation


tools that help customers locate items more efficiently. These systems reduce friction and improve conversion by making large, complex stores easier to navigate. Elsewhere, Jean-Jacques Van


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