The first batch of EPOS information from BHETA’s new retail data service featured the Q2 2018 statistics, which run from July 2017 to end July this year. Circulated in infographic form, the BHETA GfK Quarterly POS Index is available to members thanks to the trade association’s exclusive deal with research and data provider GfK.
The report, which correlates with the four categories detailed in BHETA’s online Retailer Zone, which in turn reflects all the products in which BHETA members trade, is further broken down by the product groups within those categories. It showed value growth in home improvement (DIY), housewares, small electricals and garden with the greatest upturn being in garden, mainly thanks to the seasonality of the sector, together with the recent good weather.
Weather was also a factor in the housewares category where ‘barware and outdoor’ and ‘outdoor and seasonal’ offset slight declines in some of the other product groups and a hike in the cookware and bakeware category could be traced to a new brand entering the market within the last 12 months. In small electricals, pick up in air treatment and air cooling was evident in the figures.
The home improvement (DIY) category also saw mixed fortunes across the product groups with many of the indoor sectors, such as wall and floorcoverings, showing a downturn, while summer’s traditionally larger scale projects clearly drove growth in tools, workwear, safety wear and protective clothing.
Commenting on the first set of GfK EPOS figures to be available in this form, BHETA housewares sector director Will Jones said: “Providing information in this category-specific way will enable BHETA members to benchmark their own company’s performance against the market.”
Home improvement (DIY) sector director Paul Grinsell added: “The BHETA GfK Quarterly POS Index provides bite-sized chunks of contemporary, actionable information. We will be picking up on the implications and opportunities at BHETA forums where speakers from GfK will join members to discuss the data.”
GfK is one of the world’s leading research companies, employing over 12,000 analysts to track consumer behaviour in over 100 countries.
