Poor weather during key Easter trading period to hit DIY/garden retailers, but B&Q remains confident

Snowy conditions and a cool outlook could put a dampener on hopes garden centres and DIY retailers had for a bumper Easter weekend.

The four day holiday is the most important time of the year for home improvement and garden retailers, as shoppers stock up on garden furniture and plants, as well as products to complete DIY projects.

However, weather traditionally plays a big part in driving sales over the long weekend, and cold conditions usually results in lower sales. In Easter 2010, for example, the unusually wet weather hit DIY sales.

The Met office has put out a severe weather warning for Scotland and parts of northern England as snow falls in the regions. There has been as much as 15cm (6in) of snow in Aberdeenshire.

The Met office has forecast a cold and frosty start to the Easter weekend with rain and sleet expected. Although conditions are expected to become milder, it is likely to remain cloudy, with some light rain.

Retailers including B&Q, Homebase and The Garden Centre Group are likely to be affected.

However, the UK’s largest DIY retailer B&Q said it is well placed whatever the weather.

The retailer is launching a new online help service this weekend - the You Can Do It Crew – and is offering promotions to draw in eager DIYers.

B&Q UK & Ireland chief executive Martyn Phillips said: “Easter weekend is traditionally a time when people spend more time at home and in their gardens completing projects.

“With the double bank holiday and Olympics this year we expect customers to adopt a ‘Holiday at home’ mentality with the summer stretching out in front of them.

“We’re well stocked and have some of our best ever promotions across a range of indoor and outdoor projects.

“This year we’ve launched Youtube videos to help customers with their projects and this weekend even when our stores are closed on Easter Sunday our new online help service, the You Can Do It Crew will be on hand to help.”

Source : Retail Week - Nicola Harrison
www.retail-week.com