From French Roots to a Global DIY Powerhouse
Leroy Merlin is a French-headquartered home improvement and gardening retailer that has grown from humble beginnings in 1923 to become one of the world’s largest DIY chains. Although the brand has yet to open a store in New York City—the home base of R. Couri Hay Columns—its influence is keenly felt by design lovers here and around the globe. Here’s what you need to know:
Quick Facts:
- Founded: 1923 by Adolphe Leroy and Rose Merlin
- Global Presence: 400+ stores across 12 countries
- Employees: 164,764 worldwide (2021)
- Products: 250,000+ items including DIY, gardening, construction, and decoration
- Parent Company: Groupe Adeo (part of Groupe Mulliez)
- Store Size: Average 9,000 m² large-format stores
What started as a small French business has transformed into a retail giant serving customers across Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. The company operates massive self-service stores that combine traditional hardware offerings with modern digital experiences, including mobile apps and omnichannel shopping.
Key Business Sectors:
- DIY and building materials
- Gardening and outdoor living
- Sanitary equipment and bathroom fixtures
- Interior decoration and lighting
- Renewable energy solutions
- Kitchen and home organization
As someone who has covered high-end retail and lifestyle trends for over four decades, I’ve watched Leroy Merlin evolve from a regional French retailer into a sophisticated global brand that rivals the world’s best home improvement chains. My experience analyzing luxury retail strategies and consumer behavior provides unique insights into how this company has successfully scaled across diverse international markets.
A World of Possibilities: Products, Services, and Inspiration
Step into any Leroy Merlin store and you’ll quickly understand why millions of people trust this retailer for their home dreams. With over 250,000 products spread across thoughtfully organized aisles, these aren’t just stores – they’re wonderlands for anyone who’s ever looked around their home and thought, “I can make this better.”
The beauty of Leroy Merlin lies in how they’ve organized their vast inventory. You’ll find everything from DIY essentials and building materials to gardening supplies and sanitary equipment. The interior decoration section alone could keep you browsing for hours, while their Tools & Hardware department offers everything from weekend warrior basics to professional-grade equipment.
What really sets them apart is their commitment to making home improvement feel achievable. Their Kitchen Design & Installation and Bathroom Renovation Solutions services take the guesswork out of major projects. Instead of wandering around wondering what goes with what, you get complete solutions that actually work together.
The company has developed 15 private-label brands that deliver quality without the premium price tag. This means you can tackle ambitious projects without breaking the bank – something I’ve always appreciated about retailers who understand that not everyone has an unlimited budget for their home dreams.
Shopping at Leroy Merlin: In-Store vs. Online
The traditional Leroy Merlin experience starts with their impressive physical stores. At an average of 9,000 square meters, these spaces are massive – but in the best possible way. You can actually see and touch materials, compare paint colors in proper lighting, and get immediate help from staff who know their stuff.
The stores strike a perfect balance between self-service convenience and assisted sales. You can browse at your own pace, but when you need expert advice about whether that tile will work in your bathroom or which drill bit you actually need, knowledgeable staff are ready to help. Many locations offer hands-on workshops where you can learn new skills before diving into your project.
The digital side has evolved beautifully, especially since more people finded online shopping during the pandemic. Their e-commerce platform and mobile app give you access to that full catalog of products, complete with detailed descriptions and customer reviews. The app includes clever features like barcode scanning and product location within stores – no more wandering around looking for that specific screw you need.
The click-and-collect service is particularly smart. You can order online and pick up in-store within two hours, which is perfect for those multi-trip projects we all know too well. Home delivery is available too, making it easy to get heavy items like lumber or appliances delivered right to your door. Use their Find Your Nearest Store feature to check what services are available at your location.
Beyond Products: Inspiration and Expert Advice
Here’s where Leroy Merlin really shines – they understand that home improvement isn’t just about buying stuff. It’s about turning ideas into reality, and sometimes you need a little inspiration to get started.
Their DIY workshops are genuinely helpful, covering everything from basic repairs to advanced techniques. The how-to guides don’t just tell you what to buy – they walk you through actual projects step by step. Their DIY Projects & Inspiration section features real customer projects with complete material lists and instructions.
The company’s Leroy Merlin Source network, launched in 2005, represents something unique in retail. This academic-industry partnership conducts real research on how people actually live in their homes. The insights directly influence what products they stock and how stores are designed, ensuring everything aligns with real customer needs rather than just marketing assumptions.
Their social media presence extends this educational mission beautifully. You’ll find seasonal tips, project ideas, and product innovations shared regularly. The Gardening & Outdoor Living content is particularly strong, reflecting both the seasonal nature of outdoor projects and the growing interest in sustainable living.
The community platforms create spaces where customers can share their successes, ask questions, and get advice from both experts and fellow DIY enthusiasts. This customer engagement approach transforms shopping from a transaction into an ongoing relationship that supports you throughout your home improvement journey.
The Tech-Savvy Retailer: How Leroy Merlin Innovates the Customer Experience
Leroy Merlin has mastered something many retailers struggle with: making technology actually useful for customers. Instead of treating digital tools as separate from the shopping experience, they’ve woven them seamlessly into every part of how people find, buy, and use their products.
The results speak for themselves. When Leroy Merlin Spain partnered with Productsup to overhaul their digital strategy, they saw their Google Shopping listings jump from 100,000 to 600,000 SKUs. Even more impressive? Their Pinterest shopping cart values increased by 11%. These aren’t just numbers – they represent real customers finding exactly what they need for their home projects.
What made this change possible was shifting from clunky, IT-dependent processes to a smooth product-to-consumer (P2C) strategy that their marketing team could control directly. This change meant launching new sales channels in days instead of months – a capability that proved invaluable when COVID-19 suddenly made e-commerce essential overnight.
The How Productsup helped Leroy Merlin Spain case study reveals how the company now manages nearly 50 different product feeds with ease. This isn’t just about having more products online – it’s about making sure the right products reach the right customers at the right time.
Data-Driven Decisions with Location Intelligence
Behind every Leroy Merlin store decision lies sophisticated data analysis through their partnership with CARTO. This technology helps them understand where customers come from, how they shop, and what makes certain stores perform better than others.
The system analyzes everything from competitor locations to local demographics, giving store managers the insights they need to tailor their approach. A store in a suburban family neighborhood might emphasize gardening and outdoor living products, while an urban location focuses more on space-saving solutions and apartment-friendly tools.
This geospatial data approach goes beyond simple demographics. The company tracks customer origin patterns, identifies factors that influence store performance, and uses this intelligence to optimize everything from product placement to marketing strategies. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes work that makes the shopping experience feel effortless.
The Revamping the Consumer Path to Purchase with CARTO implementation shows how modern retailers can use location intelligence to make smarter decisions. Every store layout, product mix, and promotional strategy is informed by real data about how customers actually behave.
The Leroy Merlin App: A DIY Assistant in Your Pocket
The Leroy Merlin mobile app solves real problems that anyone who’s shopped in a massive home improvement store will recognize. Ever wandered around looking for a specific screw size? The app’s product locator guides you to the exact aisle and shelf. Need to know if something’s in stock before making the trip? Real-time availability checking has you covered.
The barcode scanning feature transforms how you shop. Point your phone at any product to instantly see reviews, related items, and alternative options. Your shopping lists sync across all your devices, so you can start planning a project at home and have everything ready when you reach the store.
What makes the app truly useful is how it connects online and in-store experiences. The order tracking keeps you updated on both online purchases and in-store pickups. The click-and-collect service means you can order online and pick up within two hours – perfect for those urgent project moments.
With access to all 250,000+ products from your phone, the app becomes your personal DIY assistant. Customer service is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., ensuring help is always available when you need it most. The More about the app’s features shows how thoughtful technology can make home improvement projects less stressful and more successful.
Building a Sustainable Future and Navigating Challenges
When you walk into a Leroy Merlin store today, you’re seeing sustainability in action. Those solar panels gleaming on the roof aren’t just for show – they’re part of a comprehensive strategy that’s reshaping how this retail giant operates and serves its customers.
The company’s Positive Home strategy reflects a simple truth: customers increasingly want eco-friendly solutions for their homes. Leroy Merlin has responded by making sustainability central to their business model, not just an add-on service.
In 2022, the company identified 36 French store roofs perfect for solar panel installations. This wasn’t just about cutting electricity bills – though that certainly helps. It was about demonstrating renewable energy solutions to customers in the most visible way possible. When shoppers see those panels working above their heads, it builds confidence in the solar products sold inside.
The energy renovation services have become a significant growth area. Leroy Merlin now guides customers through the entire process of making their homes more energy-efficient. Their Leroy Merlin’s plan for energy renovation shows how they’re positioning themselves as partners in France’s energy transition, not just product suppliers.
What I find particularly impressive is how they’ve made their own operations a living showcase. Energy-efficient lighting in the aisles, optimized heating and cooling systems, and those prominent solar installations all serve as real-world demonstrations of what customers can achieve in their own homes.
Global Operations and Corporate Responsibility
Managing 400+ stores across 12 countries requires more than just good logistics – it demands a deep understanding of local communities and cultures. Leroy Merlin’s Human First strategy isn’t corporate speak; it’s a practical approach that recognizes people as the foundation of business success.
The numbers tell an impressive story: 164,764 employees worldwide, with major operations spanning from France and Spain to Russia and Brazil. In Spain alone, they operate 133 stores with approximately 18,000 employees. That’s substantial economic impact in terms of jobs and local spending.
What sets them apart is their commitment to local adaptation. Before opening new stores, the company conducts household visits to understand how people actually live and work on their homes. In Greece and Cyprus, 60% of the product range comes from 450 local suppliers. This approach supports regional economies while ensuring products meet specific local needs.
The Building Materials category perfectly illustrates this localization strategy. Building codes vary dramatically between countries, climate conditions demand different solutions, and construction practices reflect local traditions. Leroy Merlin’s success comes from combining global scale with genuine local expertise.
Addressing the Controversy: Operations in Russia
The 2022 Ukraine invasion created one of the most challenging situations in Leroy Merlin’s history. With 143 stores in Russia generating 18% of group turnover, the company faced an impossible choice between immediate withdrawal and protecting thousands of employees.
The scale of their Russian operations made the situation particularly complex. The company had paid $335 million in taxes to Russian authorities in 2020, and their 2021 revenue in Russia reached 457 billion rubles. These weren’t just numbers on a balance sheet – they represented real people’s livelihoods and communities that depended on these stores.
Ukrainian employees and government officials strongly criticized the company’s initial decision to remain operational. The controversy intensified when Ukraine’s government designated Leroy Merlin as a “war sponsor.” A Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian Leroy Merlin store brought the conflict’s reality directly to the company’s doorstep.
Eventually, Leroy Merlin announced plans to transfer its Russian assets to local management, effectively exiting the market while attempting to protect local employees. This difficult situation highlighted how global retailers must steer complex political and ethical considerations that extend far beyond traditional business concerns.
The company’s handling of this crisis demonstrates both the challenges and responsibilities that come with international operations. Sometimes there are no perfect solutions, only difficult choices that attempt to balance competing moral and practical obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Leroy Merlin
What makes Leroy Merlin different from other home improvement stores?
What truly sets Leroy Merlin apart is their approach to making home improvement feel less intimidating and more inspiring. Walking into one of their massive 9,000 square meter stores feels more like exploring a home improvement wonderland than navigating a traditional hardware warehouse.
The company’s ownership under Groupe Adeo provides something many retailers lack: the financial stability to invest in long-term customer relationships rather than just quarterly profits. This shows up in their comprehensive Our Services (Delivery, Installation, etc.) that support you from the moment you dream up a project until it’s beautifully completed.
Their 15 private-label brands deserve special mention. These aren’t generic knockoffs – they’re thoughtfully designed alternatives that make quality home improvement accessible to everyone. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned DIY enthusiast, you’ll find tools and materials that won’t break the bank.
But here’s what really makes Leroy Merlin special: they’ve built an entire ecosystem around inspiration and education. While other stores might sell you a drill, Leroy Merlin teaches you how to use it, shows you what’s possible, and connects you with a community of fellow home improvers. Their workshops, online content, and expert advice transform intimidating projects into exciting possibilities.
How many stores does Leroy Merlin have worldwide?
Leroy Merlin has grown into a truly global powerhouse with over 400 stores spanning 12 countries across five continents. That’s an impressive reach that brings their unique blend of products, services, and inspiration to millions of customers worldwide.
The company employs 164,764 people as of 2021, making it not just a retail giant but a significant economic force in communities around the world. In Spain alone, they operate 133 stores with approximately 18,000 employees, showing just how substantial their local impact can be.
Their global footprint is strategically diverse, with major presences in France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Brazil, and expanding markets in Asia and Africa. This geographic spread isn’t just about numbers – it’s about understanding that home improvement needs vary dramatically between a Mediterranean villa and a Parisian apartment.
Each store serves as more than just a retail location. They function as local hubs for home improvement education, community workshops, and inspiration. The large-format approach requires significant investment, but it creates destination experiences that become integral parts of their communities.
What sustainability programs does the company have?
Leroy Merlin has acceptd sustainability not just as a corporate responsibility, but as a core business opportunity. Their most visible commitment comes through their ambitious solar panel installations on store roofs – a perfect example of practicing what they preach.
The energy renovation services represent where sustainability meets real customer value. The company provides comprehensive support for homeowners undertaking energy efficiency projects, from initial consultations through installation and maintenance. Their Leroy Merlin’s focus on solar energy demonstrates how they’re positioning themselves as partners in national energy transition goals.
The “Positive Home” initiative encompasses their broader sustainability vision. This includes promoting products made from recycled materials, offering repair services to extend product lifecycles, and educating customers about sustainable home improvement practices. It’s about creating homes that are better for both families and the planet.
Their approach to water conservation, energy efficiency, and sustainable materials sourcing extends throughout their supply chain. They work directly with suppliers to improve environmental performance, recognizing that true sustainability requires systemic change across the entire home improvement ecosystem.
What’s refreshing is how Leroy Merlin makes sustainability accessible rather than preachy. They understand that most customers want to make environmentally responsible choices when they’re practical and affordable. Their programs focus on real solutions that deliver both environmental benefits and long-term cost savings for homeowners.
Conclusion: Your Partner in Home Creation
When I think about Leroy Merlin’s journey from a small French hardware store in 1923 to today’s global home improvement powerhouse, I’m struck by how they’ve stayed true to their original mission while completely changing how they serve customers.
What makes Leroy Merlin special isn’t just their massive 9,000-square-meter stores or their impressive catalog of 250,000+ products. It’s their understanding that home improvement is deeply personal. Every paint color choice, every tile selection, every garden project represents someone’s vision of how they want to live.
The company has mastered the art of being both comprehensive and accessible. Their digital innovations – from the mobile app that helps you find products in-store to the sophisticated omnichannel strategy that increased Pinterest cart values by 11% – never feel overwhelming. Instead, they make the complex world of home improvement feel manageable and inspiring.
Sustainability initiatives like their solar panel installations and energy renovation services show a company thinking beyond quarterly profits. They’re positioning themselves as partners in creating not just beautiful homes, but responsible ones. This forward-thinking approach will serve them well as customers increasingly prioritize environmental impact.
The challenges they’ve faced – particularly navigating geopolitical complexities in Russia – demonstrate that global retail success requires more than just good products and services. It demands difficult decisions and the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances while maintaining core values.
What I find most impressive is how Leroy Merlin has democratized home improvement. Through their educational content, workshops, and expert advice, they’ve made professional-quality results accessible to weekend warriors and first-time homeowners alike. Their DIY Projects & Inspiration and comprehensive service offerings prove that great retail isn’t just about selling products – it’s about empowering customers to succeed.
Here in New York City—where small spaces demand big creativity—our readers can glean valuable ideas from Leroy Merlin’s approach to functional, stylish living. Whether you’re planning a complete renovation or just looking for weekend project inspiration, they’ve built an ecosystem designed to support your vision from concept to completion.
Explore our comprehensive services to start your next project and find how thoughtful retail experiences can inspire your own creative endeavors. After all, the best home improvement projects begin with great inspiration and expert guidance.