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London, 19.03.2020

Brits console themselves with DIY as they settle in for extended stay at home

As the effects of COVID-19 sweep the retail space, it is not only non-perishable food items that are increasing in sales. GfK’s point of sales data is tracking large increases in the DIY / Home market for Great Britain – with sales in the week 9th - 15th March up +4.9% in value compared to the same period last year. This number is even more impressive when you consider that March last year saw huge growth itself, due to unseasonably warm weather.

Purchases of paint jumped +12.9% last week compared to last year, while building materials rose +12.2%, and tools and equipment +9.8%.  Likewise, purchases of plants, seeds and bulbs are up an impressive +35.4% over the same week last year.

Kelly Whitwick, UK Retail Lead for Market Insights at GfK, comments, “With more of us confined to our homes, the opportunity to undertake home improvement increases – as does our urge to make our home environment as attractive and calming as possible, and our need for domestic activities to combat the boredom. A large proportion of the growth we’re seeing is coming from online sales, as Britain’s shoppers take heed of the Government’s social distancing advice.” 

Source: GfK Point of Sales (POS) Weekly Leader Panel – DIY and Garden, GB. Charts show GfK Leaderpanel total market growth, online growth and instore growth.
Source: GfK Point of Sales (POS) Weekly Leader Panel – DIY and Garden, GB. Charts show GfK Leaderpanel total market growth, online growth and instore growth.


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