The European DIY-Retail Association (EDRA) goes from strength to strength: it has now been joined by Union DIY, a Russian trade association which numbers eight home improvement retail chains as members. The members of Union DIY have a total of 93 retail outlets turning over the equivalent of 700 million Euros. The chairman of Union DIY is Rinat Mukhametvaleev (the CEO of Trest SCM), who represents the interests of the GHIN Global Home Improvement Network and now joins the board of the EDRA. The accession of Union DIY brings membership of the EDRA to exactly 100 companies. EDRA members now manage 13,500 retail outlets employing 850,000 persons in 50 countries, together turning over 130 billion Euros. read more…
A survey of 32 European countries by GfK GeoMarketing has determined that in 2011 the per capita sales area increased by only one percent in comparison with 2010. However, there was wide variation between the increases in different countries. Many projects were stopped as a consequence of the general economic recession, but in other places empty premises were occupied and reactivated. read more…
Reviewing the recent Cologne International Hardware Fair, both trade and industry were very satisfied with both the number and quality of the national and international exhibitors and visitors. read more…
At its recent annual press conference in Frankfurt am Main the VDW Association of German Machine Tool Manufacturers reported sales for 2011 at a record value of 13.1 billion Euros. The VDW chairman Martin Kapp said: “This is the highest increase ever achieved by our sector.” read more…
As part of Cologne’s 2012 International Hardware Fair, exhibitors and visitors are invited to join in a one-day tour of three home improvement stores in the Cologne metropolitan area. The stores are all members of large German DIY retail groups; the tour is co-hosted and organised by publishers Dähne Verlag and the Cologne Fair. read more…
Even those determined to ignore Christmas will by now have noted that it has arrived – so there is no escape. The shops are full of customers right up to closing time, with last minute shoppers whichever way you look. This matches with the latest HDE Association of German Retailers’ survey, which reports last week’s sales as being slightly above those of the previous two weeks: HDE chief executive Stefan Genth: “This year, last-minute sales will be very strong.” The HDE had forecast that this year’s November and December sales would be 1.5 percent above those of the comparable period for 2010. That would be commensurate with total sales of 78 billion Euros. read more…
