GfK's Spotlight on DIY reveals that some areas of the market are up as much as 34%, suggesting a growing 'don't move, improve' mentality.
Despite struggling sales in many sectors as a result of a poor summer season and a challenging economic climate, GfK reports that some areas are still seeing some encouraging results.

The decorative market has struggled over the last year and hopes of dull August weather providing a stimulus for interior DIY work were sadly not met.

Unfortunately GfK also predicts that 'wider economic drivers' will continue to suppress any resurgence. Woodcare and decorative equipment were the worst hit in the period January to August 2008 with respective declines of more than 8% and almost 10%.

However, wallcovering saw a growth of almost 2% and tiles and fixings saw a fairly small decline of less than 2%, with fillers and sealants only slightly behind with a drop of just over 2%.

The garden category has naturally been the worst affected by the weather, with a 10.7% decline over the last year. Sales of gardening products fell 10.9% to £793m versus April to August 2007.

Plants and plant care were down 6.2%, garden buildings and structures saw a 10.3% decline and garden leisure was particularly hit with a 22.3% fall in sales.

Despite this, combined sales of fertilisers, chemicals and houseplant care were up 9.4%, while garden decoration products, including aggregates, grew 32%. GfK suggests, "it is those products that improve a garden and keep it in good order, rather than those that meet distinct leisure needs that have fared best."

The report also revealed that sales of fitted kitchens and showers are "both outperforming the overall DIY market". The kitchen category has shown a decline of less than 2% in value over the last 12 months, with the sector representing 10% of total DIY sales.