EVENT REPORT: GLOBAL DIY SUMMIT 2026


Oosten explored the broader transformation of retail through AI, marketplaces, and digital ecosystems, while Patricia Grundmann highlighted the growing importance of retail media as a driver of personalised engagement. A common theme emerged: AI is


not replacing retail fundamentals, but enhancing them – improving discovery, decision-making, and relevance at scale. However, Dr Kalish raised longer-term concern:


a If AI


and automation reduce entry- level hiring, businesses may face challenges in developing future leaders. Workforce development strategies may need to evolve alongside technology adoption.


Customer behaviour


Consumer behaviour expert Ken Hughes focused on a structural shift in the customer landscape, particularly among younger demographics. He


identified an emerging


consumer profile the ‘Zillennial 87-02’, sitting between Gen Z and Millennials and identified them as delaying home ownership as they don’t leave home until the age of 27 vs 22 back in the 80s, spending longer in rental accommodation (renters tend to spend five times less on their homes than those who own per annum), and prioritising flexibility over permanence. This creates a growing mismatch between traditional DIY


retail


models built around homeowners – and a customer base that is less likely to own property. He said unlocking the rental spend is key to the future growth in DIY.


The opportunity, he argued,


lies in redefining DIY for a more transient generation. Products and services must adapt to renters who want to personalise spaces without permanent changes, including modular, reversible and


low-


commitment solutions. He also highlighted a broader shift:


behavioural and


emotional engagement


inspiration are


Michel Salaun


“It’s about teamwork and finding solutions to complex challenges” - Erwin Van Osta, EDRA President


becoming as important as functional product information. Technology and AI, he suggested, will play a growing role in delivering that inspiration at scale. Our physical and online stores need to change from transactional to inspirational, so they can see possibilities not products. In summary, build inspirational


store experiences, harness Ai tools and unlock rental spend is where growth lies for DIY.


Marketplace evolution Ed Sander’s analysis of Temu illustrated the speed at which global marketplaces are reshaping retail competition. He described a rapid evolution


from a highly centralised, fully managed model to more flexible semi-managed including


local partnerships and


approaches, logistics supplier


integration strategies. This shift has enabled aggressive international expansion


and extremely


competitive pricing structures. He explained their three-phase


approach… fast penetration with heavy subsidies and advertising, followed by local logistics and an expanding of the assortment, to where they are now in 2026 with phase three, brands with improved quality and compliance. For traditional DIY retailers, the


challenge is significant. Competing on price alone becomes increasingly difficult in a marketplace environment where scale and supply chain optimisation are heavily centralised. The


differentiation must increasingly come


implication is from


trust, service,


convenience, and expertise rather than cost. Temu are here to make a


difference, their aim to become the number two in the US (after Amazon), and number one in Europe.


Dan Starr, CEO of Do it Best and


True Value, reinforced this point from a legacy retail perspective, emphasising that trust


remains


the most valuable and defensible asset in retail. In an environment of rising digital competition, trust becomes the foundation for long- term customer relationships. Sumeet Anand highlighted India as both a growing consumer market and a strategic sourcing hub. With sustained


economic


growth over several decades and a rapidly expanding middle class, India is expected to become a major global retail force within the next five years. At the same time, government investment is supporting manufacturing capacity expansion, positioning the country as a more significant player in global supply chains. However, success in this market


is


not purely transactional. Cultural understanding, relationship-building, and long- term commitment remain essential for effective collaboration. The


broader takeaway was Ken Hughes that that global growth opportunities


increasingly require both operational agility and cultural intelligence.


Sustainability angle Sustainability was presented less as a standalone initiative and more as an integrated part of retail value propositions. Intergamma demonstrated how energy-saving and water- efficient products are now driving a meaningful share


of


John Herbert


sales,


supported by consumer demand for cost-saving and environmentally responsible solutions.


In addition, initiatives such as waste reduction guidance and renewable energy investments in-store show how sustainability is being embedded into both operations and customer engagement. Rather than being a compliance


requirement, sustainability is increasingly aligned with customer value, saving money, reducing waste, and improving efficiency.


In conclusion Across


all sessions, a unifying


theme emerged: the DIY industry is navigating multiple simultaneous transformations. Economic pressure is reshaping demand. AI is changing how customers discover and decide. Digital marketplaces are intensifying global competition. Consumer demographics are shifting toward


renters


younger, more flexible lifestyles. At the same time, sustainability expectations and global sourcing opportunities are evolving rapidly. Yet despite the scale of change, the underlying message from the summit was not pessimistic. Retailers that succeed will be those who simplify


complexity


for customers, invest in trust and expertise, embrace technology pragmatically, and adapt their offer to new definitions of home and ownership.


Franck Moreno, Kingfisher


www.diyweek.net


In an industry defined by change, the winners will be those who treat change not as disruption, but as a constant operating condition.


JULY 2026 DIY WEEK 11


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