Extreme weather can make comparisons difficult. Twelve months ago the country was hit by the ‘Beast from the East’, which spanned late February and early March. While construction was affected (especially outdoor trades), merchants still sold 4% more in February 2018 than in February 2017.
Against this background, total builders merchant value sales to builders, contractors and timber trades in February 2019 were up 4.1% compared with February 2018. Looking back two years, sales were 8.2% higher this year than in February 2017.
A relatively dry and mild February this year boosted external projects. Landscaping (+11.6%) and the largest categories heavy building materials (+4.7%) and timber and joinery products (+4.3%) did better than merchants overall. Decorating (+2.5%) grew more slowly. Plumbing, heating and electrical (+0.4%) and kitchens and bathrooms (+0.0%) were flat.
Month on month
With February having two fewer trading days, sales were 0.9% higher than in January. Average sales a day (which takes trading day differences into account) were up 11%. Four categories did better, including landscaping (+24.1%), kitchens and bathrooms (+15.8%) and heavy building materials (+11.6%). Tools (+9.4%), timber and joinery products (+7.6%) and plumbing, heating and electrical (+5.7%) were among six categories that grew more slowly. Only workwear and safetywear (-4.5%) sold less each day.
Other periods
Cumulative sales for January and February were 4.5% ahead of the same period last year. Landscaping (+9.4%) was strongest, with heavy building materials and timber and joinery products both up 5.3%.
The rolling 12 months March 2018 to February 2019 were 3.6% above the same period a year earlier, with one less trading day. Timber and joinery did best (+6.6%). Average sales a day in the period were 4% higher.
Index
February’s BMBI index was 108.7, which is the highest February BMBI index to date. Plumbing, heating and electrical was top at 125.7, while timber and joinery was at 112.2.
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