The Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) report published in October shows builders’ merchants’ sales continuing to recover in August, but at a slower pace compared to the previous two months.
Year-On-Year
Total builders merchants value sales in August were 3.9% behind August 2019. However, daily sales were 0.9% above last year’s level when adjusted for the difference in trading days. Three categories did better, with landscaping (+16.3%) the top performer, followed by work wear and safety wear (+1.8%) and timber and joinery products (-2.0%). The remaining nine categories were weaker.
Quarter-On-Quarter
Total sales were up 73.8% in June to August compared with the previous three months (March to May), when many merchants had closed branches as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown. Six categories did better over this period, led by tools (+124.1%). Timber and joinery products was up 82.5%.
Month-On-Month
Total merchants sales were 14.2% lower in August compared to July, which had three more trading days. All categories sold less, with timber and joinery products at -14.1%.
Index
August’s BMBI index was 113.3. Landscaping (157.2) was strongest, followed by timber and joinery products (120.6).
