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Like many sectors, the housing market has suffered badly during this recession, and this has had a knock-on effect for all the businesses associated with it. Even worse for the DIY retail market in particular, this slump has compounded an already downward trend, so the past few years have been difficult for the leading players.

As consumers' disposable income has been in short supply, perhaps as a consequence of job losses or for fear of them, there has been a reluctance to embark on DIY projects in the home.

The DIY retailers' offering has also changed: where once it consisted of core items such as paint, screws and tools, major chains have broadened their product base to stock everything from garden furniture and windows to household ornaments. This trend has been particularly evident for the two biggest, B&Q and Homebase.

Sales from DIY specialists reached £9.78bn (excluding VAT) in 2009, according to Mintel; yet in 2009 sales dropped 0.7% on 2008 and are expected to decline a further 2.3% this year.

So why have consumers apparently fallen out of love with DIY? There has been a shift in their spending priorities so that holidays and fashion are more important to them than home improvements. Indeed, the drop in interest in DIY has been greatest among the over-35s.

The problem in this climate is that while every penny is being counted, DIY becomes a more discretionary spend, so it can always be deferred. Of course, not everyone has been forced to make cutbacks: the low interest rates have meant some people are better off; but, in general, people have then opted to pay off debts rather than spend.

DIY retailing is also associated with moving house, yet with the housing market stalled - turnover was below 1991/1992 recession levels last year - there have been fewer properties that have needed refits. Meanwhile the rise in buy-to-lets means many potential first-time buyers have been squeezed out and forced to rent instead. Even so it is the 25- to 35-year-olds - who are likely to be first-time buyers - who have maintained the most interest in DIY.

Yet even in a stagnant market many home owners will opt to do up their properties to add value, so there is still much for DIY retailers to play for.

The market is dominated by three brands: B&Q, Homebase and Wickes. B&Q promotes itself on price, Homebase is toward the 'softer' end while Wickes is most closely aligned with the traditional view of DIY retailing - the 'heavier' end. Being part of Travis Perkins' business, the latter also deals more with the trade than the other two and almost exclusively stocks own-brand products.

Kingfisher-owned B&Q, the leading retailer, moved into warehouse stores in the 90s; it has built its positioning with big stores offering a wide range of competitively priced items. It also holds its own online: DIY.com is the most visited DIY site, according to comScore, although it was still only 21st among all retail sites in January.

Meanwhile Argos owner Home Retail Group's Homebase uses the strapline 'Make a house a home' and is positioning itself as a one-stop shop for all house and garden needs.

Internet sales are growing and all the major DIY retailers now have transactional sites. As in other sectors, it appears that shoppers are using both online and bricks-and-mortar stores, although shopping on the web is skewed to the younger and more affluent.

This market has little hope of big improvements in the near future. Mintel predicts it will continue to lose share of all retail sales over the next five years. Nonetheless by 2014, sales of DIY retailers will be worth £10.3bn.