B&Q proprietor Kingfisher is to start a home improvement business in the United kingdom to assistance consumers resolve Do it yourself disasters or have out additional elaborate work after a boom in gross sales this 12 months.
The enterprise has bought NeedHelp, an online system connecting tradespeople with homes for responsibilities these types of as kitchen installation, portray, flooring or bathroom renovation, for €10m (£8.9m).
The retailer already has a partnership with the firm in France as a result of its Castorama and Brico Depot suppliers, but it is the first time the service will be offered to consumers in the United kingdom.
There now are a handful of very similar rival applications these types of as TaskRabbit.
Kingfisher reported the acquisition was “an critical move ahead” as it attempts to be additional agile and focused on buyer knowledge. It has been pushing forward with a new turnaround program less than chief executive Thierry Garnier.
He reported: “To serve consumers correctly currently, we will need to be additional digital and service orientated, though leveraging our potent retail outlet property.
“Online expert services marketplaces are critical to the long run of home improvement retail and NeedHelp is an recognized and quickly-expanding player in this arena.