The index, which tracks builders’ merchants’ actual sales to builders and contractors using GfK’s builders’ merchant point of sale tracking data, represents over 80% of the value of the builders' merchants' market.
Most categories saw sales increase compared to July 2018. Workwear & Safetywear grew by 13.4% while others were as follows – Kitchens & Bathrooms (+6.4%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+6%) and Landscaping (+5.6%).
Among other categories, Timber and Joinery Products was down marginally (-0.1%) and Tool sales decreased by 5.1%.
With one more trading day in July 2019, total builders merchant average sales a day were down 1.6% on July 2018. Compared with the previous month (June), July was up 13.3%. Much of this growth can be attributed to the trading day difference of three days between June and July.
Adjusted for trading days, total builders merchant sales were 1.5% down. For comparison, Office of National Statistics (ONS) data for July estimates RMI growth was flat.
