About the market:

The DIY sector has consistently outperformed the retail sector for the last 30 years, but that growth phase has come to an end. There appears to be far less scope to develop new stores and so expand the size of the market.

The sector must now adapt to the changing nature of the consumer, and in particular that the average age of consumers is rising steadily. The DIY stores must reposition themselves as general home enhancement outlets rather that somewhere specifically associated with DIY. Older consumers will still want to improve the appearance of their homes, but will not want to do the work themselves.

But while the way forward is clear to everyone, Mintel’s consumer research shows that older consumers are the least enthusiastic about DIY stores moving their product offer. The retailers therefore have a major barrier to overcome.