The 10th Global DIY Summit kicked off today in Rome with almost 1,000 participants. Decision makers from the DIY and garden centre industry from 55 countries around the world announced their participation in the two-day conference of the international DIY sector, including executives from a number of DIY store operators. “Embracing change in DIY – how to thrive in never-before-ordinary circumstances” is the motto of this year's summit.
In his welcoming remarks, Summit team leader Inaki Maillard highlighted this international focus as a commitment to diversity and looked back to its beginnings 14 years ago, telling John Herbert, managing director of international trade association Edra/Ginn: “Look around this room and see what you've all built. Congratulations!”
In their welcoming remarks, Thierry Garnier, Chairman of Edra and CEO of Kingfisher, and Reinhard Wolff, President of co-hosts International Manufacturers Association HIMA, reflected on current challenges, in particular climate change and the uncertainty of current economic development.
Deloitte's Ira Kalisch shared his outlook for the global economy. He predicts that the U.S. economy will do well and Europe will slow, while the Chinese economy is in decline. He predicts that globalization will continue, but the U.S. economy will increasingly diverge from China. “But overall, my outlook is not that bad,” he told conference participants.
CEO Sebastian Gandel shared insights into the changes Obi has made since he took the reins. Gandel said he recognizes that such changes also mean a change in the company's culture. A core concept in Gandel's speech was partnership. Specifically, he highlighted Obi's refocus on franchising as a driver of growth, and he applied the term explicitly to suppliers. “Of course we need to negotiate, but we also need to grow together,” Gandel reminded suppliers. “Partnership is an essential value for us.”
(Source: Dähne Verlag, Götz)
(Source: Dähne Verlag, Götz)
(Source: Dähne Verlag, Götz)
(Source: Dähne Verlag, Götz)
(Source: Dähne Verlag, Götz)
(Source: Dähne Verlag, Götz)
(Source: Dähne Verlag, Götz)
(Source: Dähne Verlag, Götz)