The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in June, shows builders’ merchants’ value sales were up +3.9% in April compared to the same month a year ago. Volume sales increased +4.7% and prices eased -0.8%. However, with three additional trading days this year, like-for-like value sales were down -11.0%.
Year-on-year, eight of the twelve categories outperformed Total Merchants, with Workwear & Safetywear (+28.9%), Miscellaneous (+15.0%), Decorating (+14.1%) and Plumbing Heating & Electrical (+13.2%) in the lead. The three largest categories – Heavy Building Materials (+1.4%), Timber & Joinery Products (+1.4%) and Landscaping (+3.2%) – all grew more slowly.
April total value sales were +5.0% higher than the previous month. Volume sales increased +7.4% and prices were down -2.3% compared to March. With one more trading day in April, like-for-like value sales were flat (+0.0%). Ten of the twelve categories sold more, with seasonal category Landscaping (+15.4%) well up. But Heavy Building Materials (+4.8%) and Timber & Joinery Products (+3.6%) recorded more moderate growth. Plumbing Heating & Electrical (-1.4%) and Workwear & Safetywear (-4.6%) were the weakest performing categories. Download and read the report here
