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The online do-it-yourself (DIY) market grew from €56 billion to €66 billion in 2024. The share of online DIY sales within the total market (both online and offline) increased by 18 percent, from 15.2 percent in 2023 (€56 billion from €368 billion) to 17 percent in 2024 This strong growth is expected to continue, with the online DIY market forecast to reach €78 billion by 2026. So writes Cross-Border Commerce Europe.

A key driver of this e-commerce growth is the rising market position of competitors who only sell online, requiring traditional retailers to accelerate their cross-border e-commerce strategies.

Amazon remains the dominant player in the online DIY sector and, at 15 percent, has the largest online market share in Europe (€9.15 billion out of €66 billion). However, Amazon faces increasing competition from Chinese giants Temu and AliExpress, which have taken top positions in the rankings. These platforms are rapidly gaining market share. This increasing competition poses a major challenge for Amazon, as changing consumer preferences and price sensitivity could challenge its market dominance in the coming years.

The growth of the global DIY market is further driven by technological advances, changing consumer behavior and the rapid expansion of digital commerce. With economic pressures driving cost-conscious home improvements and sustainability trends changing purchasing decisions, demand for DIY products continues to escalate across borders.

Key growth factors
- Digital transformation and smart retailing: The integration of AI-powered shopping assistants, augmented reality (AR) previews and smart home automation has made DIY more accessible.
- Home improvement trends: Increasing emphasis on home personalization and energy-efficient upgrades has increased demand for high-quality DIY materials, from eco-friendly paint to modular furniture solutions.
- Sustainability and environmentally conscious materials: The growing popularity of zero-waste is driving consumers toward sustainable DIY products, such as biodegradable insulation, recycled building materials and toxin-free adhesives.
- Global e-commerce growth: The online retail revolution has broken down geographic barriers, giving consumers access to a diverse range of DIY materials, parts and innovative home improvement solutions from international suppliers.

Challenges and strategies for a changing market
- Emergence of the do-it-yourself (DIFM) model: While do-it-yourself remains strong, a growing segment of consumers are opting for professional services, forcing retailers to offer hybrid solutions that serve both do-it-yourselfers and DIFM customers.
- Optimization of logistics and supply chains: Cross-border trade requires streamlined operations, leading retailers to invest in localized warehouses, AI-driven inventory management and faster delivery networks.
- Intensifying market competition: E-commerce giants such as Amazon, Temu and AliExpress continue to dominate the market, requiring traditional DIY retailers to improve their digital strategies and customer engagement tactics.

© The Content Exchange, source News