An increasing number of people appear to be looking to carry out DIY projects, new research indicates.
Figures published by Synovate in its latest Retail Traffic Index reveal that home improvement stores and garden centres have benefited from a drive in footfall in recent week.
“Clement weather conditions around the country have been kind too and so home furnishings, garden centres and DIY have all benefited from the until-now repressed ‘spring clean’ mentality,” Dr Tim Denison, retail psychologist for Synovate, points out.
Retail footfall levels over the course of last month were up by some 7.6 per cent from March and were 4.4 per cent higher than the same time in 2008 – the largest year-on-year rise recorded since February 2004.
Findings released by the Scottish Retail Consortium last month also suggested that more people are looking to carry out home improvements themselves as it revealed that DIY equipment and garden furniture witnessed particularly strong growth during March.