People are spending more money on home improvements, it has been reported.
Figures from British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG reveal a 2.8 per cent sales rise in September compared to the same month in 2008, with DIY products showing particularly good growth.
This was boosted by the growing trend of ‘improve, don’t move’, DIY Week reports, with sales of fitted kitchens and bathrooms increasing as the housing market begins to improve.
Meanwhile, Helen Dickinson, head of retail at KPMG, cites the "sunny autumn weather and signs of a less gloomy economic outlook" as helping to drive non-food sales, with flooring particularly increasing.
The mild sunny weather was also attributed to gardening and outdoor DIY performing well, with sales of plants, sheds and garden care products all rising over the course of last month.
Such news comes as garden designer Matt James recently claimed people are increasingly taking their time with outdoor home improvements to ensure they get their garden looking good.
Posted by Jenny Summer