The latest figures from the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI), published in April, reveal that total value sales by builders’ merchants across Great Britain were up +0.8% in February compared to the same month in 2022. This growth was driven exclusively by price inflation (+14.9%) as volume sales fell -12.2%. There was no difference in trading days.
Nine of the 12 categories sold more in February 2023 compared to February 2022. Renewables and water saving (+58.9%) was again the strongest performing category, while decorating (+15%), plumbing, heating and electrical (+13.3%), work wear and safety wear (+10.1%) and ironmongery (+8.5%) also increased.
Timber and joinery products (-13.9%) was the weakest category, followed by landscaping (-12.5%) and services (-2.1%).
Total sales in the three months December 2022 to February 2023 were flat (-0.1%) against the same period last year, with price inflation of +17.9%, and volumes down -15.3%. Nine of the 12 categories sold more, with renewables and water saving (+49.7%) significantly ahead of the other categories. Timber and joinery products (-14.5%) and landscaping (-13.5%) were the two weakest categories.
Month-on-month, total merchant sales were +8.2% higher in February 2023 than the previous month. Volume sales were +13.4% higher than January, while prices were down -4.6%. With one fewer trading day in February, like-for-like sales were up +13.6%. Month-on-month the strongest category was landscaping (+27.6%), followed by heavy building materials (+10.9%). Timber and joinery products grew +3.4%. Work wear and safety wear (-6.5%) was the weakest performing category.
