Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
New research from The NPD Group reveals more shoppers are choosing to take care of household projects they would normally have hired someone else to do before the start of COVID-19.
The research firm finds more DIYers are handling general home maintenance and repair, landscaping and various home upgrades and remodels. NPD says this uptick in at-home project completion is driving sales for home improvement retailers, and may continue throughout the 2020 holiday season.
As many people spend more time at home, they’re also looking for ways to make their spaces more livable, according to the data. More than 40 percent of consumers surveyed by NPD report having plans to continue their DIY home improvements even after COVID-19 may end.
Sales for home improvement retailers have been strong throughout 2020, even as some retail sectors saw volatility. NPD’s research also finds home improvement stores are the second-fastest growing retail channel in terms of the sheer number of purchases made, seeing both in-store and online sales rise. NPD says winter-weather DIY projects could continue to buoy sales for the remaining weeks of the year, prompting homeowners to invest in new tools and equipment to beat the chill.
“Given the continued emphasis on DIY home improvement projects, I anticipate home improvement stores will continue to see consumer traffic both online and in stores through the holiday season, fulfilling multiple needs of the season, including some of those last minute stocking-stuffer gifts for the DIYer in the consumer’s life,” says Shay Krafft, product leader for U.S. home improvement and major appliances at NPD.
Train Your Team for Winter Success
Don’t let the final few weeks of 2020 pass you by. Before holiday sales start, review the basics of successful selling techniques with the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s free training resources.
