Inflation plus bad weather cause DIY sales to plummet

In the first quarter, sales of DIY stores in Germany fell by 8.6 per cent compared to the same period last year; they amounted to EUR 4.49 bn. Like-for-like, sales were 7.1 per cent below the comparable level of the previous year. The BHB has published these figures and cites as reasons for the decline the cautious consumerism of customers unsettled by inflation and politics in combination with long, almost continuous wet and cold spells, which led to a decline in the propensity to buy, especially in garden-related assortments.

A look at the sales development in the individual assortment segments illustrates the overall view. In Germany, the decline in sales is most pronounced for garden furniture (-32.1 per cent), closely followed by garden equipment (-29.0 per cent) and garden tools/irrigation and drainage (-24.7 percent). In this particular first quarter, only the automotive (+5.8 per cent) and household goods (+4.1 per cent) products were able to make gains. Among the classic ranges, only the products from construction chemicals/materials achieved a black zero, according to the association.

Peter Tepaß, spokesman for the BHB and member of the Obi board responsible for Germany, among other things, sees the development with some optimism: "At the moment, the weather is developing noticeably towards the positive, so that sales in many garden product ranges should certainly recover in parts as well". Inflation, which is already falling in many cases, is also contributing to more confidence among people again. Although prices will remain at a higher level, he does not see any further dramatic increases. In the traditional do-it-yourself and renovation ranges, the company continues to be very well positioned anyway.