Builders merchants are recording strong sales growth despite fears of a UK economic slowdown, according to the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF).
Sales at builders merchants for the three months to September 30 were up 8.4%, compared with the same period in 2000. In the 12 months to September 30, sales increased by 5.2% compared with a year earlier.
Regions with the strongest growth were Yorkshire (13.7%), the north-west (10.6%) and East Midlands (9.8%).
BMF director Jeremy Hawksley said the growth was mainly in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector.
