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MARGINAL VALUE GROWTH IN YEAR-ON-YEAR MERCHANT SALES IN FEBRUARY
The latest figures from the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI), published in April, reveal that builders’ merchants’ value sales were up +0.8% in February compared to the same month in 2022. This growth was driven exclusively by price inflation (+14.9%) as volume sales fell -12.2%. There was no difference in trading days.
Nine of the twelve categories sold more in February 2023 compared to February 2022. Renewables & Water Saving (+58.9%) was again the strongest performing category, while Decorating (+15.0%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+13.3%), Workwear & Safetywear (+10.1%) and Ironmongery (+8.5%) also increased. Timber & Joinery Products (-13.9%), Landscaping (-12.5%) and Services (-2.1%) all sold less.
Last Three Months
Total sales in the three months December 2022 to February 2023 were flat (-0.1%) against the same period last year, with price inflation of +17.9%, and volumes down -15.3%. There was no difference in trading days. Nine of the twelve categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving (+49.7%) significantly ahead of the other categories. Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+16.4%) and Decorating (+16.1%) also did better. Timber & Joinery Products (-14.5%) was weakest.
MONTH-ON-MONTH
Month-on-month, total merchant sales were +8.2% higher in February 2023 than the previous month. Volume sales were +13.4% higher than January, while prices were down -4.6%. With one less trading day in February, like-for-like sales were up +13.6%.
Month-on-month the strongest category was Landscaping (+27.6%), followed by Heavy Building Materials (+10.9%). Workwear and Safetywear (-6.5%) was the weakest performing category.
ROLLING 12-MONTHS
Total merchant sales in the twelve months from March 2022 to February 2023 were +3.8% up on the same period a year ago. Price inflation reached +16.6% while volumes were down -11.0%. With two less trading days in the most recent period, like-forlike sales were +4.7% higher. Ten of the twelve categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving (+35.0%) continuing to lead the field. Kitchens & Bathrooms (+16.1%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+14.6%), Workwear & Safetywear (+13.8%), Decorating (+11.5%) and Heavy Building Materials (+9.5%) all did better than merchants overall. Landscaping (-5.1%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-7.6%) both sold less. For the full report, including comments from the BMBI’s panel of leading industry Experts, please visit www.bmbi.co.uk.