DIY stores under water

A great number of DIY stores are among the businesses hit by the devastating floods in eastern Germany and Austria. A first tally shows 14 stores with partial or total losses. Added to this are about 20 cooperative members of EK Großeinkauf. Almost all the leading DIY groups have in the meantime set up relief campaigns and special discount offers. Customers in the disaster areas are being offered price reductions of as much as 20 per cent. What is more, some companies are also putting equipment, tools and material resources at the disposal of victims. Many suppliers are contributing to these campaigns. Manfred Maus, president of the BHB (Federal Association of German DIY, Building and Garden Stores), has emphasised that the DIY stores in the affected areas in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic will continue to be offered financial and practical assistance in the months to come.