DIY retail in Japan - statistics & facts
The do-it-yourself (DIY) market aims at supplying consumers with tools and materials for handicraft activities at home without relying on professional services to build or repair things. DIY supplies are distributed mainly by general merchandisers with art and office supply sections as well as specialty retailers. Home improvement and hardware stores are at the center of the Japanese DIY retail market, carrying a broad range of necessities for handicrafts. While the large-scale retailers have their positions secured for heavy crafting projects, variety stores have become popular places to stock up on smaller items for handmade goods at affordable prices. 100-yen stores like Daiso are benefitting from their smaller store sizes that can be integrated into the retail landscapes at the bustling center of metropolises, encroaching on the market position of the specialized competitors.
The Japanese DIY store landscape is dominated by the presence of chain stores spanning their network throughout the whole country. Even though the store network has been showing an upward trend in recent years, industry leaders supplemented their offline businesses with online stores to profit from the growing consumer spending on the DIY and hobby segment in the e-commerce sector.
However, despite an upward trend in sales in recent years, DIY suppliers are faced with the challenge of making large home improvement projects attractive to consumers. Within a bustling society, in which the service sector is catering to consumer demands with fast and time-efficient professional services, the cost and time requirements are challenges that work against the urge to pick up the tools oneself.
Home improvement stores
DIY stores, generally known as home centers in Japan, are all-rounders in the retail sector and resemble hypermarkets in the width of their assortment. Combining the distribution of tools and crafting materials with other home essentials, DIY stores are the places to go for laypersons to buy the necessities for building, modifying, and repairing work around the house. Additionally, home improvement stores play a major role in the pet industry, with pet owners preferring these large-scale retailers to buy food and supplies for their animal companions.The Japanese DIY store landscape is dominated by the presence of chain stores spanning their network throughout the whole country. Even though the store network has been showing an upward trend in recent years, industry leaders supplemented their offline businesses with online stores to profit from the growing consumer spending on the DIY and hobby segment in the e-commerce sector.
DIY activities
Do-it-yourself covers a wide range of activities in Japan and is not limited to repair and maintenance work around the house. Small arts and crafts projects such as sewing, painting, and modifying fashion items are also included in the broader definition of handmade goods. Facilitated by the increased time spent at home during the global coronavirus pandemic, building furnishings, and furniture became popular DIY projects in Japan.However, despite an upward trend in sales in recent years, DIY suppliers are faced with the challenge of making large home improvement projects attractive to consumers. Within a bustling society, in which the service sector is catering to consumer demands with fast and time-efficient professional services, the cost and time requirements are challenges that work against the urge to pick up the tools oneself.
