Working from home turns consumers into D-I-Y enthusiasts

British consumers have been busy during this past year of spending time on D-I-Y projects during successive lockdowns, thus boosting the home-improvement industry.

DIY Ombre sideboard from Furniture and Choice.

News has just emerged that Kingfisher, the owner of UK DIY retailer B&Q and the builders' merchant Screwfix,  has reported a sharp rise in full-year sales and profits, recording that underlying pre-tax profit have jumped 44% while sales climbed to GBP12.3 billion in the year to 31 January.

Under government guidelines, hardware stores are considered essential retailers thus can remain open during lockdowns.

Kingfisher boss Thierry Garnier said to the BBC that the growth in its business has been boosted by a new generation of 18-34 year-olds than any other age group, many trying out home-improvements for the first time during the lockdowns.

Garnier also said working from home had helped lift sales and profits as people invested in making their houses more comfortable, and is expecting home-working to continue even when Covid restrictions are lifted.

 DIY Ombre Wall Hanging from Furniture and Choice.

Kingfisher said this would result in "wear and tear' on the home, and the need to organize living space differently, thereby creating further demand for home improvement". 

Kingfisher said the pandemic had accelerated growth in online sales. 

E-commerce sales accounted for 18% of total sales compared to 8% in the year before.