Redefining DIY for a Global Future: Insights from the Global DIY Summit 2025

The Global DIY Summit 2025, held on 12th June, gathered leaders from over 55 countries to share ideas, challenges, and inspiration for the future of the DIY and home improvement industry. With suppliers and retailers facing constant disruption—from digital acceleration to climate challenges—this year’s theme, "A New World Order: Redefining DIY for a Global Future," couldn’t be more timely.

A Call for Collective Evolution

Inaki Maillard opened the summit with a unifying message: despite political divides and rapid technological shifts, our global DIY community must grow together. "You are part of the journey," he said, "to grow a global DIY community."

Thierry Garnier, President of EDRA/GHIN, and Reinhard Wolff, President of HIMA, followed with a stark but motivating reality check. Thierry noted that in China, 50% of sales are already online, with physical stores acting as logistical hubs. “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of progress,” he urged, reminding delegates that agility beats idealism in retail evolution.

Reinhard underscored the growing unpredictability in tariffs, raw materials, and climate effects. There is a need to act fast and be ready "Fail, fail again, fail after, go, and go again.”

The Economic Shifts Shaping DIY

Professor Sony Kapoor gave a geo-economic context to the summit’s themes, forecasting no immediate global recession but highlighting the seismic shifts in global power dynamics, demographic trends, and trade policies.

“We are at the cusp of real globalisation,” With the tools to cut carbon and the opportunity to increase productivity, the DIY industry must act decisively: “The tech is there—now the question is, will we use it?”

Retailers on the Front Foot

B&Q CEO Graham Bell shared how the retailer's “North Star” strategy—to be customer obsessed—transformed its approach. With 90% of sales starting online and a marketplace featuring 16,000 brands, Graham stressed the importance of staying ahead of the curve.

“Change isn’t change. It’s evolution,” Graham stated. “Have a clear path, drive change and just deal with it.”

B&Q's bold vision? “Better Homes, Better Lives, For Everyone.” It’s not just about being a DIY Shed anymore—it’s about building projects together, becoming a full-service home partner.

Curiosity as a Competitive Edge

Innovation strategist Rik Vera challenged businesses to unleash a new KPI: the Net Curiosity Score. As AI takes over repetitive tasks, he argued, it’s our curiosity—our ability to ask better questions—that will drive relevance in 2040 and beyond.

He proposed three types of curiosity critical to survival:

• Exploratory – to see change coming

• Specific – to solve immediate problems

• Empathetic – to connect with customers deeply

Rik’s reminder? “If you see the wave of change, you’re already too late. Surf it.”

Formula 1’s Sustainability Playbook

Mike Gallagher from Formula 1 delivered a masterclass in adapting to disruption. From fossil fuels to synthetic fuels and electrification, F1’s pivot to net zero by 2030 offers real lessons for retail.

“Take change by the hand, or it will take you by the throat,” he warned.

Through relentless focus, tech innovation, and team execution (think 22 technicians 36 tasks in 1.8 seconds during pit stops), our performance is dictating by the slowest performer.  F1 has become one of the most profitable and sustainable global industries. Retailers were challenged to think similarly: what and who is in your pit crew?

Private Brands and Passion-Driven Retail

Francisco Torres of Sodimac outlined a 35-year journey refining private labels into a competitive advantage. Today, private brands make up 30% of Sodimac’s sales—but generate 50% of margin.

Key takeaways? Don’t overextend. Don’t fall in love with your product. And build brand equity with sustainability in mind.

Meanwhile, Alexander Kremer’s reinvention of the garden centre reminded delegates that the heart still matters. At Kremer’s Nature Garden centres, customers leave happier. “We are in the people business,” he said. “Our centres are designed from the heart, not logistics.”

Make it Zero: Sustainability and Circularity

Jamie Pitcairn of Ricardo underscored the urgency of climate action. With eco-taxes already totalling €320 billion in the EU, circular design and lifecycle responsibility are no longer optional—they’re becoming law.

His message to suppliers? Prepare for full accountability—from production to end-of-life.

The Future of DIY is Solution-Centric

Ken Hughes rounded off the summit with a jolt of clarity: “DIY has been too product-centric for too long. We need to sell solutions, not just tools.”

With seven generations of consumers now active, retailers must offer personalised experiences and emotional connections.  It does not matter what generation you are trying to serve, you are fixing a problem, fix the problem, solve the need.  Its time to disrupt your own business don’t let others do it for you.  Ken’s thought provoking presentation showcased businesses doing just that from the "chat checkout" enabling people who wanted to chat the space to be able to do so and "nostalgia marketing" customer service phoneline playing music from your teenage era showing tactics for genuine customer engagement, businesses going beyond customer expectation.  Take home – Are your customers seen, heard and valued and if they are, do they know it?

Marketplace Strategy is No Longer Optional

Listening to Bob Chermin & Duncan Simmons, Francois Yared from Adeo and Maarten Verschuere, one thing was clear: marketplaces are now central to retail growth. Suppliers must adapt—strategically, not reactively.

Marketplaces require a new playbook: own your brand story, control pricing, and be selective. As AI begins to manage catalogue listings, dynamic pricing, and even purchase decisions, the window to act is now.

The AI Imperative

Throughout the summit, AI was positioned not as a threat, but as an accelerator. Whether it’s handling the mundane, powering search tools like Google’s Circle-to-Search, or enabling product curation, AI is shaping every layer of retail.  “AI is the next platform of efficiency.” Test fast. Learn fast. Scale fast.

Final Thoughts

This year’s Global DIY Summit made it clear: DIY is no longer just about tools and materials. It’s about ecosystems, experiences, and evolution. Whether you’re a supplier, a retailer, or a startup, the message was unanimous:innovate boldly, stay curious, and be the driver of change—not its passenger.

By Kerry & Clive Daley

We do love a selfie ! 🤳 Thank you for getting involved...

Paul White, Graham Bell, Ben Lainton, Andrew Weiss, Rythm Jain Saigal, Andreas Harnlov, Fredrik Englund, Simon Smith, Dan North, Steve Edwards, Jake Margiotta, Luke Davies, Neil Munz-Jones.