DIYers at Practical World

The International Hardware Fair/Practical World in Cologne is to be partially opened to consumers in 2008. An announcement from Koelnmesse reports that Halls 6 to 9 – builders' and home improvement supplies/DIY – will then "also be accessible to tradesmen and DIYers". The rest of the exhibition site is to be restricted to specialist retailers and buyers from industry. "The DIY industry will get a direct feedback from DIYers when it comes to new products, the retail trade can take advantage of these trends and tendencies when making product choices, and the trade and business character of the major part of the fair will not be affected," is how executive vice president Oliver P. Kuhrt explains the new fair concept.