BMBI Reports

Tentative start to 2024 as January value sales slip -2.1% year on year

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales were down -2.1% in January compared to the same month in 2023, with volume sales falling -3.2% and prices creeping up +1.1%. With one more trading day this year, like-for-like sales were down -6.5%.

November Builders Merchant sales slide -5.7% as volumes drop -12.1% year-on-year

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales were down -5.7% in November 2023 compared to the same month in 2022, with volume sales falling -12.1% and prices increasing +7.2%.

October Builders Merchant sales fall -4.0% year-on-year

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales were down -4.0% in October 2023 compared to the same month in 2022, with volume sales dropping -11.5% and prices rising +8.4%. With one more trading day in October 2023, like-for-like sales were -8.4% lower.

Builders’ Merchant Q3 volume down -10.5% on Q2 2022. Value sales down -3.3%.

Compared to the same period in 2022, Q3 2023 total volume sales to builders and trades fell -10.5% from Britain’s Builders’ Merchants. Value sales were down -3.3%, as prices rose +8.0%. There was no difference in trading days. The three largest categories all sold less: Heavy Building Materials (-1.5%), Landscaping (-7.0%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-13.1%).

June to August Builders Merchant volumes up +5.3% on previous 3 months

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales were down -3.3% in the month of August compared to the same month in 2022, with volume falling -10.5% and prices up +8.0%. But value sales in the last three months, June to August, were +3.3% higher than March to May 2023 with volumes up +5.3% and prices down -2.0%.

May-July Builders Merchant value sales +8.5% up on previous 3 months

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales were down -0.4% in July compared to the same month in 2022, with volume falling -7.9% and prices up +8.1%. But the last three months, May to July, value sales were +8.5% higher than in February to April 2023.

Q2 value sales up +7.6% on Q1, with volume up +11.3% and prices down -3.3%

Quarter-on-quarter, total value sales from Britain’s Builders’ Merchants climbed +7.6% in Q2 2023 compared to January to March 2023. Growth came from stronger volumes (+11.3%) as prices were -3.3% lower. With four less trading days in the most recent period, like-for-like sales were +14.8% higher in April to June than Q1.

Merchant value sales fall again in May

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales down by -6.0% in May compared to the same month in 2022. Volume sales fell -15.1% with price inflation of +10.8%. With one less trading day in May 2023, like-for-like sales were -1.3% lower.

Eight of the twelve categories sold more this year than in May 2022. Renewables & Water Saving (+41.8%) grew the most, followed by Decorating (+10.2%) and Workwear & Safetywear (+5.9%). Landscaping (-13.4%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-18.2%) were the weakest.

Merchant value sales fall -9.0% in April as volumes drop -20.2%

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales down by -9.0% in April compared to the same month in 2022. Volume fell -20.2% with price inflation of +14.0%. Taking trading day differences into account, like-for-like sales were -4.0% lower as April 2023 had one less trading day than the same month in the previous year.

Q1 2023 sales drop -2.3% as volumes tumble -16.4%

Total value sales data from Britain’s Builders’ Merchants shows Q1 2023 recorded a -2.3% drop in year-on-year growth, with volume sales falling -16.4% countered by +16.9% price inflation.

With one more trading day this year, like-for-like value sales were -3.8% lower.

Nine of the 12 categories sold more in Q1 2023 compared to the previous year with Renewables & Water Saving starting the year in pole position (+42.3%). Workwear & Safetywear (+14.9%), Decorating (+13.9%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+12.8%) also performed well. Services (-4.5%), Timber & Joinery Products (-15.3%) and Landscaping (-18.3%) all sold less.