Five of the 12 categories sold more in terms of value compared to October 2024, led by miscellaneous (+7.7%) and landscaping (+6.7%). Of the two largest categories, timber and joinery products was up +1.7%, but heavy building materials was down -1.3%. Renewables and water saving was the weakest performing category (-7.6%).
In the three months from August to October 2025, total value sales were -0.1% lower than the same three-month period a year before. Total volume sales increased +0.7% but prices were -0.8% down. Eight categories sold more in terms of value led by miscellaneous (+6%). Timber and joinery products (+1.8%) grew more slowly.
Compared to September, October’s like-for-like value sales (which take trading day differences into account) were down -1.7%. Without the trading day adjustment, total value sales were +2.8% higher month-on-month, with total volumes up +1.7%, and prices up +1%. Looking at month-on-month value sales, 10 categories sold more with work wear and safety wear (+8.3%) and plumbing, heating and electrical (+8.2%) doing best. Timber and joinery products (+2.5%) fell behind total merchants.
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| The Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) The BMBI is a brand of the BMF. 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. The full report is on www.bmbi.co.uk. |
