DIY multiple retailers are in an enviable position - DIY and gardening is the UK's fastest-growing retail sector. But did you know there is the opportunity for retailers to grow the market by a further £5.5bn over the next five years? DIY & Gardening Retailers 2005 will provide you with a breakdown of key growth areas in this market where a healthy trading environment is already providing a platform for successful growth.

Table of Contents
KEY FINDINGS................................................................................................................ 1
MAIN CONCLUSIONS .................................................................................................... 2
MARKET ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................... 4
MARKET DEFINITION............................................................................................................ 4
EXPENDITURE.................................................................................................................... 5
EXPENDITURE GROWTH ...................................................................................................... 6
INFLATION .......................................................................................................................... 7
DIY EXPENDITURE.............................................................................................................. 8
GARDENING EXPENDITURE .................................................................................................. 9
DIY/HARDWARE SPECIALISTS............................................................................................ 10
KEY DRIVERS ................................................................................................................... 11
CYCLICAL – HOUSE PRICE INFLATION................................................................................. 12
CYCLICAL – HOUSING TRANSACTIONS................................................................................ 13
CYCLICAL – CONSUMER CONFIDENCE ................................................................................ 14
CYCLICAL – CONSUMER DEBT ........................................................................................... 15
STRUCTURAL – CHANGING ROLE OF THE HOME .................................................................. 16
STRUCTURAL – RETAILER DIVERSIFICATION........................................................................ 17
STRUCTURAL – PLANNING RESTRICTIONS........................................................................... 18
STRUCTURAL – CONSUMER TRENDS .................................................................................. 19
CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION ............................................................................................. 20
COMPANY DATA ANALYSIS ...................................................................................... 21
MARKET SHARES .............................................................................................................. 21
KEY OPERATING STATISTICS ............................................................................................. 22
SPACE ALLOCATION.......................................................................................................... 23
ADVERTISING MEDIA EXPENDITURE.................................................................................... 25
OUTLOOK ..................................................................................................................... 26
MARKET GROWTH COLLAPSE ............................................................................................ 26
MORTGAGE EQUITY WITHDRAWAL ..................................................................................... 27
DISPOSABLE INCOME SQUEEZE.......................................................................................... 28
BACKGROUND DRIVER HEALTH CHECK............................................................................... 29
INTEREST RATES TO BOOST MARKET..................................................................................30
FOOTFALL DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD ....................................................................................31
GENERATING MORE REASONS TO VISIT ..............................................................................32
BOOSTING SHOPPER EXPENDITURE....................................................................................33
ROBUST PROFITABILITY .....................................................................................................34
SHIFTING COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE ...................................................................................35
ARGOS RETAIL GROUP..............................................................................................36
B&Q...............................................................................................................................49
FOCUS ...........................................................................................................................57
TOPPS TILES ................................................................................................................64
WICKES .........................................................................................................................70
WILKINSON ...................................................................................................................77
WYEVALE GARDEN CENTRES...................................................................................84
BUILDERS MERCHANTS.............................................................................................91
SMALLER DIY RETAILERS..........................................................................................95
SMALLER NICHE DIY RETAILERS ...........................................................................100
SMALLER GARDEN CENTRES.................................................................................103
GLOSSARY..................................................................................................................106
INDEX..........................................................................................................................108