I happened to go to Boston (Lincs) this morning so popped into the B&Q for the first time in several years. I was gobsmacked by the high prices. For some years now I have bought all my DIY materials locally, from family-run businesses. The other day I bought some sawn (not planed) planks locally for £2.55 each (2.4m x 100mm x 22mm). However, the B&Q price today was £5.74 per plank!!!
Another example: I needed keyhole fixings, the kind used on mirrors. The local hardware shop sells them individually, just like hardware shops of yore. Smallest size was 20p each. B&Q on the other hand are charging £1.98 for two, albeit including 4 tiny fixing screws. The mark-up for putting these items into a little plastic bag to hang on the peg board along with all the other rip-off price goods works out at roughly 296%. Colron wood dye at B&Q (small tin) was £7.98.
I won't be going back to B&Q anytime soon! And I thought everyone said small high street shops are expensive.
MM