The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales were up +8.5% for the last three months, May to July, compared to the previous quarter. Although figures were down -0.4% in July compared to the same month in 2022.
Nine of the twelve categories sold more this year than in July 2022. Renewables & Water Saving +51.2%, Plumbing, Heating & Electrical +14.0%, Decorating +13.6%, Tools +11.1% and Kitchens & Bathrooms +10.1% all achieved double digit growth. Landscaping -7.2% and Timber & Joinery Products -12.1% were the weakest performing categories.
Month-on-month, total merchant sales were down -5.5% in July compared to June. Volume sales were down -7.5% while prices increased slightly (+2.2%). Total merchant sales in the twelve months from August 2022 to July 2023 were flat (+0.0%) compared to the same period a year ago, with volumes down -12.2% and prices up by +13.9%.
The full report can be downloaded from the website.
