Swiss DIY markets clearly below previous year

In Switzerland, as in Germany, the DIY trade recorded a significant decline in sales in the first quarter. The DIY stores turned over CHF 739.1 mio (EUR 758.3 mio), 7.5 per cent less than in the same period last year. Adjusted for sales area, it was 6.0 per cent less.

As in Germany, the DIY and garden centres in Switzerland recorded the largest declines in garden furniture (-29.8 per cent). However, power tools and hand tools sold quite well in the same period and recorded a plus of 0.8 per cent.