German DIY stores down sharply compared to 2020, stable up compared to 2019

German DIY stores turned over 8.2 per cent less last year than in 2020, and 9.1 per cent less on a like-for-like basis. Because of the boom in 2020, a comparison with 2019 is more meaningful, the German DIY retail association BHB highlighted at a press conference. Compared to 2019, the year before the coronavirus pandemic, German DIY stores turned over 4.5 per cent more. The total sales volume in 2021 was EUR 20.33 bn. Franz-Peter Tepaß, president of the BHB, spoke of the industry being in "very good shape" when presenting the figures.

The press conference began with a look at developments in Eastern Europe. "It is frightening what we are hearing from Ukraine," explained BHB managing director Peter Wüst. Through the Edra/Ghin associations, the BHB is in contact with trade managers from Ukraine and Russia. We also hear from the Russian sector that people are not happy with the current development, said Wüst.

According to the BHB, the volatile situation of 2021 is evident in the development of the product range. With wood (+4.1 per cent) and seasonal goods (+0.6 per cent), only two product areas in Germany were at all in the plus. The garden furniture (-19.3 per cent), paints/painting accessories (-18.0 per cent) and ironmongery/security technology (-15.8 percent) recorded the strongest declines.