The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has published its second quarterly economic report, which includes the impact of lockdown through to May 2020. This comprehensive document runs to almost fifty pages and pulls together multiple sources of data on trading in the home improvement, DIY, housewares, garden and small domestic appliances sectors during the lockdown period.  It looks at category size, growth rates and consumer behaviour as well as retailer updates and a macro-economic overview.  In a special addition to the usual list of contents, this edition includes a detailed analysis of the role of online shopping during the Covid-19 crisis.

Main findings reflect the shift in consumer focus to home-related products and projects from painting and decorating to gardening to home baking and the considerable increase in pace of the switch from shops to websites.  In both cases the report suggests that these trends are likely to continue for the remainder of 2020, even as lockdown eases and the overall economy is squeezed.

BHETA’s marketing manager, Steve Richardson explained, “The lockdown attitude to home improvement and home-based activities has proved something of an economic silver lining for many BHETA members, assuming they could reach the consumer either via online platforms or via retailers that were deemed essential and stayed open. 

“The data BHETA has accessed to compile this report points to the potential continuance of this combination of positive opportunities as people remain home-based over the next 12 months, high levels of furlough persist into the autumn and consumer confidence in undertaking home enhancement tasks has increased.  BHETA will certainly be continuing to support its members in making certain they can access consumer demand by tailoring their sales strategies accordingly.”

BHETA has worked extensively with Globaldata, the leading supplier of market data to create its latest quarterly economic report, which has been made available to BHETA members on an initial exclusive basis and at no cost.  BHETA also used its own in-house research as well as data from Google, which was recently a key speaker at one of BHETA’s popular webinars.

BHETA is a leading source of market information for its members at no cost or heavily discounted rates. GlobalData uses primary research to make estimates for private companies and independents and cross-references the estimates with secondary sources, to generate a complete view of the market.

BHETA also provides as well as providing regular online networking events, export support and training.  More information can be found on the BHETA website www.bheta.co.uk or by contacting Member Services at BHETA on 07946 078566.