BMBI

BUILDERS MERCHANT BUILDING INDEX

SLOWING SALES BUT Q4 IS THIRD-BEST QUARTER IN A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR

The latest total value sales data from Britain’s Builders’ Merchants recorded the thirdhighest quarterly BMBI sales ever, rounding off a record-breaking year for merchants. However, with growth driven exclusively by pricing – not volume – the figures suggest the 2021 trade boom has inevitably slowed.

QUARTERLY SALES, YEAR-ON-YEAR

“Total merchant sales in December were significantly down compared to November 2021 (-33.0%), with five less trading days. This impacted the overall Q4 results. However, the decline in sales between November and December is in line with previous years’ results.”

Total value sales in Q4 2021 were 14.7% higher than Q4 2020, with no difference in trading days. All categories sold more. Timber & Joinery Products was out in front (+28.2%), followed by Landscaping (+14.4%) which recorded its highest quarterly sales of the year. Comparing Q4 2021 with Q4 2019, a more normal pre-Covid year, total value sales were 21.0% higher this year, with the benefit of one more trading day. Nine of the twelve categories sold more. Like-for-like sales were up 18.9%.

QUARTER-ON-QUARTER

Quarter-on-quarter, sales were down 12.7% in Q4 compared to Q3, not helped by four less trading days in the most recent period. Only two categories sold more. Like-for-like sales were 6.9% lower than in Q3.

DECEMBER SALES, YEAR-ON-YEAR

Compared to December 2020, when large parts of the country were subject to tiered Covid restrictions, total sales were up 16.3% in December 2021 with no difference in trading days. All categories sold more. Compared to the same month two years ago, total value sales in December 2021 were 26.5% higher, helped by two more trading days this year.

DECEMBER SALES, MONTH-ON-MONTH

Total merchant sales in December were significantly down compared to November 2021 (-33.0%), with five less trading days. This impacted the overall Q4 results. However, the decline in sales between November and December is in line with previous years’ results.

YEAR-TO-DATE

Overall sales in the 12 months from January to December 2021 were 30.5% higher than in the same 12 months a year earlier, with two less trading days this year. All categories sold more. Timber & Joinery Products (+52.1%) was the year’s standoutcategory, with Landscaping (+31.3%) also doing better than merchants overall.

Compared to January to December sales for 2019, this year’s total value sales were up 16.4%.

GfK’s Builders Merchant Panel

GfK’s Merchant Panel includes national, multi-regional and regional merchants such as Buildbase, Jewson, Travis Perkins, EH Smith, Gibbs & Dandy, MKM and Bradfords. GfK’s Builders’ Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data represents more than 80% of the value of the builders’ merchant market. GfK insights can trace product group performance and track relevant features. GfK can also produce robust like-forlike market comparability, tailored to the requirements of an individual business.

The Builders Merchant Building Index

The BMBI is published every month, in print and online. A full quarterly report is available every three months. The BMBI is a brand of the Builders Merchants Federation. Launched and produced by MRA Research, it uses sales-out data from GfK’s Builders Merchant Panel. BMBI includes a panel of leading industry Experts, who speak exclusively for their markets.

For the full report, Expert comments and Round Table Debates, visit www.bmbi.co.uk.