Latest builders merchant sales stats show increased sales
25 September 2019Total builders merchants sales in July were up 2.9% in value compared with the same month last year, according to the latest update from the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI).
The index, which tracks builders’ merchants’ actual sales to builders and contractors using GfK’s builders’ merchant point of sale tracking data, represents over 80% of the value of the builders' merchants' market.
Most categories saw sales increase compared to July 2018. Workwear & Safetywear grew by 13.4% while others were as follows - Kitchens & Bathrooms (+6.4%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+6%) and Landscaping (+5.6%).
Among other categories, Timber and Joinery Products was down marginally (-0.1%) and Tool sales decreased by 5.1%.
With one more trading day in July 2019, total builders merchant average sales a day were down 1.6% on July 2018. Compared with the previous month (June), July was up 13.3%. Much of this growth can be attributed to the trading day difference of three days between June and July.
Adjusted for trading days, total builders merchant sales were 1.5% down. For comparison, Office of National Statistics (ONS) data for July estimates RMI growth was flat.
