Diy and garden market remains one of the largest in the UK durables sector.
Despite doom and gloom predictions of a slowdown of consumer spending, GfK has revealed a 4.5% rise in sales of diy/gardening products in 2007 to £10.2 billion.

This will make encouraging reading for retailers, as the market research company's report highlights a 'continued enthusiasm for home and garden improvements'.

Value sales of paint brushes climbed to £72.5 million in 2007 - 4% up year-on-year.

Emulsion paint sales are also up year-on-year with a 2.7% increase from January to December 2006, bringing market value to £502 million.

GfK also reported that electric power drills, which account for 42% of the total power tools sector, saw an increase of 5.4% in 2007 - in excess of £74 million per annum.