Two degrees and twelve per cent more

BHB, the German DIY trade association, has announced unexpectedly positive figures for the first quarter. These include a sales increase of six per cent for the DIY stores in Germany, or five per cent in comparable terms, over the first three months of 2002. The overall volume came to € 3.9 bn. The main reason behind this sales hike is a discount campaign promoted by the number two in Germany: Praktiker offered a price reduction of 20 per cent on its entire range for one whole week. What is more, March 2003 was on average two degrees warmer than a year ago. This meant a gain of 17 per cent for the garden and leisure ranges over the same month last year. All in all the March sales figures exceeded the previous year’s performance target by twelve per cent. The cumulative figure for January and February showed a one per cent deficit.