The latest statistics showing UK builders merchant sales reveal that the value and volume of sales dipped -5.2% and -7% respectively in May.
The Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in July, also says prices edged up +2.0%. With one more trading day this year, like-for-like value sales were down -9.7% in May.
Compared to May 2023, nine of the twelve categories performed better than Total Merchants year-on-year, with Workwear & Safetywear (+18.8%), Decorating (+3.7%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+2.0%) faring the best. Two of the largest categories – Timber & Joinery Products (-6.9%) and Heavy Building Materials (-7.7%) – declined more than Total Merchants.
May total value sales were +3.0% higher than April. Volume sales increased +2.2% and prices were marginally higher (+0.8%) month-on-month. Half of the twelve categories sold more, with two of the largest categories – Landscaping (+12.7%) and Heavy Building Materials (+3.7%) – leading the pack.
In the 12 months from June 2023 to May 2024 total merchant sales were -4.5% lower than the same period the year before (June 2022 to May 2023). Volume sales slumped -8.9% while prices rose +4.8%.
With six extra trading days in the most recent 12-month period, like-for-like value sales were down -6.8%. Heavy Building Materials saw a -5.4% fall and Timber & Joinery Products also sold less (-10.2%).
“May was positive for UK construction as better weather saw trades getting back on site,” said Mike Rigby, managing director of MRA Research which produces the BMBI report.
“Monthly construction output returned to growth (+1.9%) after a fall in April, according to the latest ONS data. All bar one construction sector picked up in May, including new housing (+2.8%) although from a low base. However, growth in new build and residential RMI has yet to feed through to merchants, where volumes continued to fall.”
Set up and run by MRA Research, the BMBI – a brand of the Builders Merchants Federation – is a monthly index of builders’ merchant sales, and the most reliable, up-to-date measure of Repair, Maintenance, and Improvement (RMI) activity in the UK. The index is based on actual sales from GfK’s Builders’ Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data.
