The owner of the UK's largest chain of DIY stores has reported that Britons are turning to home improvement projects as they look to cope with the financial problems being caused by the ongoing credit crunch.
In a statement released to investors, Kingfisher, which owns the B&Q chain, reported that sales of DIY manuals have increased by 30 per cent in comparison to last year's figures, suggesting that many people are choosing to boost the value of their
home without having to pay for specialist help.
This contributed to an increase in like-for-like sales of 0.2 per cent over the same period, a notable accomplishment given the strain currently being placed on consumers' finances, while the good weather has also been cited as a factor behind the increasing number of homeowners getting busy with their hammers.
Ian Cheshire, chief executive of Kingfisher, noted: "As anticipated the
UK market remains extremely tough, but we are trading solidly."
Anyone carrying out DIY work on their homes this summer should protect their valuables by making use of safe storage before they begin any projects.
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