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The experts are all agreed: The year 2002 brought great changes to the Belgian DIY sector
One of the most crucial events that caused a sensation last year was the takeover by the Netherlands group, Vendex KBB (Praxis stores), of the GIB Group’s DIY retail business. This deal led to Vendex taking only the 98 Belgian Brico stores for its own purposes and agreeing with Leroy Merlin that the French group should acquire the OBI and AKI outlets in France, Spain and Portugal.
The French Bricorama stores became franchisees of the Netherlands Intergamma group in 2001 already. This company then succeeded in converting the 26 Bricorama outlets to the Gamma format and reshaping the product range within the space of just one year. Though it must be said that a great number of Bricorama suppliers fell by the wayside in the process.
Like Gamma, Brico is now totally in Netherlands hands.
Hubo has swiftly improved its own position in the marketplace through the acquisition of the five Bricomarché stores last year and four Selfmade outlets at the beginning of this year.
Independent traders had no success with strengthening their market position last year. It was rather a case of the multiples taking further market shares away from them. Also evident is the fact that more and more members of buying cooperatives are joining bigger partners. According to market experts, “The independents are not managing to present themselves vigorously enough on the market.” Figures from GfK show that the DIY chains had grown by 7.6 per cent by the end of November – and this growth is still accelerating.
Thierry Coeman, chairman of the Belgian BDA association, which includes both industrial and commercial companies, explains that, “The year just past gives us a very good idea of what the future of the DIY sector will look like. It teaches us that we must have a vision and that we must anticipate changes.” A very good performance with growth of more than 20 per cent was recorded by the Mr. Bricolage group, which took over four outlets from Superbois and now operates 23 stores. Speculation is continuing about whether the company is intending to expand into Flanders as well.
DIY stores in Belgium
The French Bricorama stores became franchisees of the Netherlands Intergamma group in 2001 already. This company then succeeded in converting the 26 Bricorama outlets to the Gamma format and reshaping the product range within the space of just one year. Though it must be said that a great number of Bricorama suppliers fell by the wayside in the process.
Like Gamma, Brico is now totally in Netherlands hands.
Hubo has swiftly improved its own position in the marketplace through the acquisition of the five Bricomarché stores last year and four Selfmade outlets at the beginning of this year.
Independent traders had no success with strengthening their market position last year. It was rather a case of the multiples taking further market shares away from them. Also evident is the fact that more and more members of buying cooperatives are joining bigger partners. According to market experts, “The independents are not managing to present themselves vigorously enough on the market.” Figures from GfK show that the DIY chains had grown by 7.6 per cent by the end of November – and this growth is still accelerating.
Thierry Coeman, chairman of the Belgian BDA association, which includes both industrial and commercial companies, explains that, “The year just past gives us a very good idea of what the future of the DIY sector will look like. It teaches us that we must have a vision and that we must anticipate changes.” A very good performance with growth of more than 20 per cent was recorded by the Mr. Bricolage group, which took over four outlets from Superbois and now operates 23 stores. Speculation is continuing about whether the company is intending to expand into Flanders as well.
DIY stores in Belgium
