The latest UK builders merchant sales statistics show that merchants like-for-like total value sales in January were -2.6% lower than January 2025, according to a new Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report.
The report, published in March, also shows like-for-like volume sales fell -7.2% in January, while prices increased +5%. These figures were adjusted for trading day differences.
With one less trading day this January, total value sales (unadjusted for trading day differences) were -7% lower year-on-year. On a similar unadjusted basis, volumes were down -11.4%.
Only the Renewables & Water Saving product category (+8.5%) sold more by value. Timber & Joinery Products (-2.2%) fell less than Total Builders Merchants, Heavy Building Materials which reduced by -11%.
In the three months November 2025 to January 2026, like-for-like value sales were -2.0% lower than the same three-month period a year before. Like-for-like volumes were down -5.9%, prices were up +4.0%.
With one less trading day in the most recent period, unadjusted value sales were down -3.7% while volumes were -7.4% lower and prices increased +4.0%. By unadjusted value, seven categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving up +9.5% doing best. Timber & Joinery Products (+0.4%) performed better than Total Builders Merchants.
BMBI is a brand of the Builders Merchants Federation. The BMBI report, which is produced and managed by MRA Research, uses NiQ GfK’s Builders Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data which analyses sales out data from 88% of generalist builders’ merchants’ sales across Great Britain.
For the latest reports, visit www.bmbi.co.uk.
