- Bad weather ruins hardware stores
The poor weather in May and June, along with the sustained purchasing hesitation of many consumers, has spoiled business for the construction markets and garden centers in Germany in the first half of the year. Cold, rain, and persistent thunderstorms dampened the mood after a good start to the year, as reported by the Trade Association for DIY, Construction, and Garden (BHB) in Cologne.
In the first half of 2024, sales decreased by 0.9 percent compared to the previous year, to 11.15 billion euros. Between April and June, they were even 4.5 percent lower. Although the UEFA European Football Championship held in the country had a positive effect on the industry, it could not fully make up for this. According to the association, the largest declines in product categories in the first six months of the year were in tiles (-14.2 percent) and new garden furniture (-9.6 percent). Companies saw increases in products such as lawn and plant seed, as well as for plant protection.
Despite this, BHB board spokesman Peter Tepass remained optimistic: "Weather-related fluctuations have always existed, and the past few weeks with already improving trends show clearly that people have merely postponed, not abandoned, their gardening activities."
Despite the challenges in construction markets and garden centers, the retail trade sector, specifically retailers of lawn and plant seeds and plant protection, experienced growth in the first half of 2024. This positivity in the retail trade sector contrasts with the declines seen in tiles and new garden furniture.
