DIY Store Sales in Germany Decline in 2025 Germany: Sales at DIY stores in Germany declined in 2025, continuing the downward trend observed in recent years. Total sales in the sector fell by 1.6 percent compared with the previous year, reaching EUR 20.58 billion (approximately USD 22.3 billion). When adjusted for floor space, sales declined by 1.4 percent. The figures were released by the trade association BHB during a press conference held at the International Hardware Fair

Gaurs Group Plans US$ 27.3 million Investment in Precast Construction Facility in Noida INDIA: Gaurs Group has announced plans to invest US$ 27.3 million (₹2500 million) in establishing a precast manufacturing and modular construction facility in Noida. The investment follows a memorandum of understanding with Elematic India, part of Finland-based Elematic Group. In the first phase, around US$ 10.9 million (₹1000 million) will be used to build a precast plant that will produc

Key Kitchen Countertop Trends Highlighted for 2026 USA: Kitchen & Bath Design News highlights evolving preferences in kitchen countertop materials and design for 2026. The findings show that engineered surfaces such as quartz and quartzite remain the fastest-growing materials in demand, while porcelain, granite and marble continue to maintain a strong presence in modern kitchens. Designers note that homeowners increasingly prefer countertops that combine durability and ease o

Siamp Acquires Stake in Clara Sanitaires France: Siamp, a Monaco-based manufacturer of concealed cisterns, tanks and flushing systems, has acquired a stake in Clara Sanitaires, a French manufacturer operating in the same product segment. The company did not disclose the size of the shareholding. Clara Sanitaires was established in 1965 and operates a manufacturing facility in Brittany, France, covering 4,400 square metres, where its products are designed and produced. Clara S

NLBMDA Supports Legislation to Exclude Homebuilding Materials from Tariffs USA: The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) has publicly backed the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act, a bill introduced in the United States Congress aimed at reducing housing costs by exempting key homebuilding materials from recently imposed tariffs. The legislation would establish a streamlined process for U.S. businesses to request tariff exclusions on imported construct

Watertec Targets Rapid Growth in CP & Sanitaryware Business India: Watertec India, backed by Warburg Pincus, is planning to significantly expand its chrome plated (CP) and sanitaryware segment, which is expected to grow 20–25% annually and reach about USD 48 million in topline within five years. The Coimbatore-based company reported revenues of around USD 60 million in FY26, with polymer bath fittings contributing 70%, pipes 20%, and CP & sanitaryware about 10% of topline. Th

Grohe INDIA: GROHE has launched its Matte Black Ceramics collection in India, extending the finish across its full bathroom portfolio, including GROHE and GROHE SPA ranges. The move responds to growing demand among Indian consumers for more personalized, design-led interiors beyond traditional white ceramics. The brand says the introduction of matte black reflects a broader shift toward understated luxury, cohesive aesthetics, and timeless colour choices. By offering coordina

2026 Outlook for the Residential Remodelling and Construction Sector USA: The article highlights expectations for the residential remodelling and construction sector in 2026, noting that economic uncertainty and declining consumer financial confidence are influencing homeowner decisions. Many households are choosing to remain in their current homes and invest in renovation rather than purchasing or constructing new properties, partly due to rising home values. As a result, la

Duravit’s Aurena Collection Wins GOOD DESIGN Award in Bath & Accessories Category U.S.: Duravit announced that its Aurena Collection, designed by award-winning architect and designer Antonio Citterio, has received the prestigious GOOD DESIGN Award in the Bath & Accessories category from The Chicago Athenaeum. The luxury bathroom series was recognized for its precise design language, premium materials, and forward-thinking innovation inspired by the Golden Ratio, delivering ba

Victorian Plumbing CEO to Step Down as Company Acquires Sovereign Transport Services UK: Victorian Plumbing has announced that its founder and CEO, Mark Radcliffe, will step down from his role with effect from 31 March and will remain on the board as a non-executive founder director. Stephnie Judge, currently the group’s managing director, will succeed him as chief executive from 1 April. The company stated that the two “will continue to work closely together to ensure a smoo

Market Update from Home Depot’s Leading Merchant USA: The latest market update from HBS Dealer features insights from Billy Bastek, Home Depot’s top merchant, on current retail trends and industry performance. Bastek discusses both positive and challenging aspects of the home improvement market, noting areas where the retailer has innovated while also acknowledging ongoing pressures faced by the sector. Key topics include how Home Depot is adapting merchandising strategies to

NKBA 2026 Review of the Association and Industry Outlook USA: At the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) 2026 annual meeting, Global President and CEO Bill Darcy reflected on a challenging 2025 for the kitchen, bath and remodeling industry, citing issues like tariffs, rising building material costs, a persistent labour shortage, and housing constraints that dampened growth and consumer confidence. Despite these headwinds, NKBA has strengthened its advocacy role, expa

RAK Ceramics Selects SAP For Enterprise-wide Digital Transformation UAE: RAK Ceramics has selected SAP SE to implement an enterprise-wide digital transformation programme through the adoption of RISE with SAP. The initiative is intended to integrate end-to-end processes across the company’s 55 entities and establish a unified cloud platform supporting operations in more than 150 countries. The programme will consolidate multiple systems onto a core cloud platform based on SAP

Bauhaus Opens New Three-storey Outlet in Vienna Austria: Bauhaus has opened a new store in Vienna, marking its seventh location in the city and its twenty-second in Austria. The outlet is located in a former Kika furniture store and extends across three floors. The building underwent renovation and structural upgrades over a period of approximately eighteen months, including reinforcement of ceilings. The total sales area amounts to 17,000 square metres on a site measuring 8,

Bathroom UK: TOTO Ltd. has been identified by UK-based activist investor Palliser Capital as an undervalued artificial intelligence–linked opportunity, driven by its advanced ceramics business, which contributes about 40% of operating profit. While widely known for its high-tech sanitaryware, the company also manufactures ceramic electrostatic blocks used in NAND memory chip production, critical for AI-driven data centres. With rising AI demand and increasing memory chip pric

Bathroom UAE: RAK Ceramics reported strong margin performance and solid profit growth in Q4 and FY 2025, despite challenging conditions in some international markets. Growth was largely driven by robust activity in the UAE’s real estate and construction sectors, along with a higher contribution from premium products and project-based sales. In Q4 2025, revenue declined slightly by 1.7% year-on-year, while full-year revenue increased by 1.6%. Gross profit margins improved to 3

US Supreme Court Restricts Presidential Authority to Impose Tariffs USA: The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled by a 6‑3 majority that former President Donald Trump exceeded his legal authority when imposing broad import tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Court held that IEEPA does not grant the executive branch the power to levy sweeping tariffs because the Constitution reserves the power to impose taxes and duties to Congres

Hüppe Agrees Restructuring Plan to Retain Operations at Bad Zwischenahn Site GERMANY: Shower manufacturer Hüppe has reached an agreement with the IG Metall trade union on a restructuring plan that is expected to retain operations at its Bad Zwischenahn site in the Ammerland district. According to the company, 78 of the current 191 positions will be retained under the agreement. The restructuring plan follows a social plan agreed between Hüppe and the union at the beginning of

Oli Reports Decline in 2025 Revenue Amid International Market Weakness Portugal: Oli, a Portuguese manufacturer of concealed cisterns and flushing systems, reported turnover of EUR 69 million (approximately USD 75 million) in 2025, representing a decline of 8 percent compared with the previous year. The company had recorded growth of 3 percent in 2024 compared with 2023. Sales in the domestic Portuguese market increased by 5 percent during 2025. However, international markets

Residential Remodelling Market Expected to Expand Through 2026 and Beyond USA: The residential remodelling sector is projected to continue growing through 2026, supported by changing homeowner needs and long-term housing trends. One of the key drivers is the increasing number of older homeowners choosing to remain in their existing properties rather than relocating. This ageing-in-place trend is encouraging renovations that improve accessibility, comfort and functionality wit