The French DIY sector is one of opportunity and growth: the market is consolidating while consumer demand is increasing.
Recent figures prove our point. French housing prices have been rising by some 10-15% annually for the last two years, particularly in the Paris area. This has fed through to both building permits and building starts.
But the most significant boost to DIY should come through in 2005 with Sarkozy’s plan to simplify mortgages and introduce home-equity withdrawals.
Judging from experiences in other markets, unlocking home-equity injects long term wealth into home improvement. While details still have to be fine-tuned by the government, French financial institutions are also backing the proposals.
