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The COVID-19 building boom
What Quadrant couldnât have seen in March 2020, arguably the peak of the pandemic panic, was how COVID-19 would unleash a boom in building and renovations sparked by the combination of government incentives, stimulus payments and border restrictions, which saw spending on holidays channelled into home.
The 24.7 per cent increased in hardware sales at Metcash, which includes sales at Mitre 10 and Home Timber & Hardware, speaks to the power of this boom. Even excluding Total Tools, sales rose 17.8 per cent.
But Metcash and its great rival, the Wesfarmers-owned Bunnings powerhouse, are betting on sustained growth from the hardware sector, and particularly the speciality tools segment that services hardcore tradies.
News 5th Jun 2021 3:52 PM Shoppers are lashing out at Bunnings staff after finding empty shelves in stores as the nation faces a shortage of a key material that could last months. Staff have been abused and faced aggressive customers due to Australia s timber shortage, amid fears that the scarcity could result in delays of six to eight weeks for home building, as well as renovations. Bunnings told
The Herald Sun that it would not tolerate abuse of its staff after experiencing unprecedented demand for timber. We know constraints are causing some frustrations for people across the industry, said Bunnings merchandise general manager, Toby Watson.