THE latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveals builders’ merchants’ value sales for Q2, 2024 were down 5.8% compared with the same period in 2023.
Volume sales were down 7.2%, while prices were up 1.5%. With two extra trading days this year, like-for-like sales were 8.8% lower.
Half of the twelve categories sold more in Q2, 2024, with Workwear & Safetywear up 15.6%. However, the two largest categories – Timber & Joinery Products (-7.4%) and Heavy Building Materials (-8.4%) – were both down more than total merchants. Renewables & Water Saving (-28.5%) was the weakest category.
Quarter 2 total value sales were said to be impacted negatively by ‘weak’ June sales. Total Builders Merchants value sales for June were down 14.7% compared to the same month in 2023. Volume sales were down 16.9% and prices were up 2.7%. Like-for-like sales were 6.2% lower.
