Gardening and leisure remains the biggest turnover category in the DIY multiples sector, according to the latest report* from analysts AMA Research.

AMA estimate the UK DIY multiples market, dominated by Wickes, B&Q and Homebase, at £6.8bn in 2013

Key market drivers include consumer confidence and spending, demand for major home improvements, replacement/upgrading of kitchens and bathrooms, moving home and new housebuilding.

The economic and construction downturn saw the UK DIY market decline by 4% in 2008 and remain static. “The market has been supported during this time by a switch to DIY from GSI (Get Someone In), which favours the DIY multiples, with high value home improvement projects being replaced by more simple DIY tasks,”: the repprt says. Tradesmen have also been making increased use of the multiples. Into 2013, DIY activity was stimulated by warmer weather, higher levels of consumer confidence, stronger economic indicators and healthier levels of activity and output in the construction and housebuilding sectors. “This benefited the DIY multiples with an improvement in big ticket products as well as a good performance in the garden products sector (influenced by the warm weather last summer and the very stormy weather in early 2014).

Although the UK economy remains fragile, there is more optimism for a continued recovery in the construction industry, particularly in the housebuilding sector, as well as improving consumer confidence and spending. Prospects for the DIY multiples market in 2014 appear more positive, with market size forecast to reach almost £7bn.

Garden & leisure remains the largest sector within the DIY multiples market.