THE latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales in May were down 5.2% year-on-year.
Volume sales fell 7%, while prices edged up 2%. With one more trading day this year, like-for-like value sales were down 9.7%.
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%) faring best. Two of the largest categories – timber & joinery products (-6.9%) and heavy building materials (-7.7%) – declined more than total merchants. Renewables & water saving was the weakest category (-37.1%).
May total value sales were 3% 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 way. Plumbing heating & electrical (-5.8%) and renewables & water saving (-18.4%) sales contracted the most.
