Construction materials market continues to grow

Fuelled by the continuing construction boom amid an acute housing shortage, the market is expected to grow by 10-11% on average during the next few years and could reach zł. 25 billion this year. The latest data on building-permit applications is very strong, and some analysts even talk of zł.30 billion in market value this year. The buoyant demand is benefiting all the players, from large wholesalers through to DIY chains and specialist retailers, to independent wholesalers. At the moment, big wholesale chains control 37.4% of the market, followed by DIY chains at 29.8%. In terms of revenues, Castorama, the French DIY network, is the market leader with 43 stores in Poland, followed by Leroy Merlin with 23 stores. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B3) R.M.