Transformation to never normal

Transformation, the transition to the new normal, coping with volatility and uncertainty with new technologies and fixed values were the major topics that dominated the 10th Global DIY Summit in Rome in mid-June. The summit was once again jointly organised by the international associations of DIY retailers and manufacturers, Edra/Ghin and Hima. 

But what is this new state that is (or will be) supposedly normal? Is there still a normal state at all? And how can an entire industry react to this? There was plenty to discuss in Rome. And there was a more or less universal answer: cooperation, collaboration and common standards are key to dealing better with the new situation. Thierry Garnier, Edra president and CEO of Kingfisher, made this clear right at the beginning when he once again energetically promoted the task force on Scope 3 that he had initiated.

He and Hima president Reinhard Wolff also recalled the current challenges, in particular climate change and the volatility of current economic developments. 

Wolff was to return to the need to work together, particularly on climate protection and Scope 3, later in the congress. “We have to be successful,” he said. 

Around 1,000 participants came to Rome for the summit. Decision-makers from the DIY and garden sector in 55 countries across the world, including the management teams of numerous DIY store operators, had announced their attendance at the two-day congress of the international DIY sector. “Embracing change in DIY - how to thrive in the never normal” was the motto.

Iñaki Maillard, who heads the summit team, saw this high level of internationality as a commitment to diversity. He also recalled the beginning 14 years ago and said to Edra managing director John Herbert: “Look around this room and see what you have created: congratulations!” One of the secrets to the success of this event, which has become an integral part of the industry, is that it sees networking as fundamentally important for collaboration - which is probably more important than ever in the “never normal”. 

Ira Kalish from Deloitte provided an outlook on the global economic situation. He sees a stronger US economy and weaker development in Europe, but also declining trends in China. “Overall, however, my outlook is not so bad,” he said.