The UK property and construction sector was so strong last year that Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) members more than doubled their predicted growth in sales.
National sales were up 5.8% compared with the 2000 – 3.3% more than forecast.
BMF president John O’Carroll-Bailey has predicted further sales growth of 2.5% for 2002, although he warns that if a world recession impacts on the UK, this may not be achieved.
He said: ‘Merchants were concerned that due to poor weather, foot and mouth disease and the terrorist activities, demand for builders’ materials would be down. Despite these our members have had one of their busiest years and signs are that building activity growth will continue well into 2002.’
