Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI)

Total Builders Merchants value sales were down -4.6% in November 2024 compared with the same month last year. Tools (+3.5%) was the only category to sell more. Categories performing better than Total Merchants include Landscaping (-0.3%), Services (-0.6%) and Heavy Building Materials (-4.0%). Renewables & Water Saving (-15.1%) was the weakest. With one less trading day this month, like-for-like value sales (which take trading day differences into account) were flat (-0.1%). Total Builders Merchants’ volume sales were -1.3% lower and prices were down -3.4%. For #ConstructionMarketFacts and #BuildingIndustryInsights, read the latest BMBI report: https://bit.ly/4137rfN #BuildingMaterialTrends #ConstructionIndustry #HomeImprovementTrends #InsightsAndData 

Total value sales in the last 12 months, November 2023 to October 2024, were -4.8% down on the previous period, November 2022 to October 2023. Volume sales were -6.3% down with prices up +1.6%. Workwear & Safetywear (+12.9%) was up the most, followed by Tools (+5.8%) and Decorating (+3.3%). The two largest categories Heavy Building Materials (-6.5%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-7.4%) declined more than Total Merchants. Renewables & Water Saving (-22.7%) was weakest. With three more trading days this period, like-for-like sales were -5.9% lower. Read #ConstructionMarketFacts in the full October 2024 report: https://bit.ly/3PhGk9U #BuildingMaterialTrends #ConstructionIndustry #HomeImprovementTrends #InsightsAndData

Total sales in January to October 2024 were -4.5% lower than the same period in 2023.   Volume sales were -5.2% down with prices up +0.8%.   Five of the twelve categories sold more with Workwear & Safetywear up most at +14.0%.   But the two largest categories Heavy Building Materials (-6.2%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-6.8%) sold less.   Renewables & Water Saving (-25.5%) was weakest.   With three more trading days this period, like-for-like sales were -5.8% lower.   Read #ConstructionMarketFacts in the full October 2024 report: https://bit.ly/3PhGk9U #BuildingMaterialTrends #ConstructionIndustry #HomeImprovementTrends #InsightsAndData

Total Merchants sales were +7.3% higher in October than in September 2024. Volume sales were +6.5% up and prices up (+0.7%). Eleven of the twelve categories sold more, ten performing better than Total Builders Merchants. Renewables & Water Saving (+33.3%), Miscellaneous (+16.0%) and Plumbing Heating & Electrical (+15.3%) were the top performing categories. Heavy building materials and Timber & Joinery products, the two largest categories, were only marginally ahead of Total Builders Merchants, at +7.4%. Landscaping (-2.9%) was the only category to sell less. With two more trading days this month, like-for-like value sales were down -2.1%. For #ConstructionMarketFacts check out the latest report: https://bit.ly/3PhGk9U #BuildingMaterialTrends #ConstructionIndustry #HomeImprovementTrends #InsightsAndData

Total Builders Merchants value sales were up +1.2% in October 2024 compared with the same month in 2023. Volume sales were +2.7% higher and prices down -1.4%. Nine of the twelve categories sold more. Six of the twelve categories performed better than Total Merchants: Tools (+14.3%), Workwear & Safetywear (+10.1%) and Services (+6.0%) led the field. Heavy Building Materials (+1.1%) performed slightly below Total Merchants. Timber & Joinery Products (-1.0%) was the weakest. With one more trading day this year, like-for-like value sales (which take trading day differences into account) were down -3.2%. For #ConstructionMarketFacts and #BuildingIndustryInsights, read the latest BMBI report: https://bit.ly/3PhGk9U #BuildingMaterialTrends #ConstructionIndustry #HomeImprovementTrends #InsightsAndData 

Total sales in January 2024 to September 2024 were -5.1% lower than the same period last year.   Volume sales were -6.1% lower, prices were +1.1% higher. Five of the twelve categories sold more led by Workwear & Safetywear (+14.5%). Renewables & Water Saving (-28.0%) was weakest. With two more trading day this year, like-for-like value sales were -6.1% lower. Read #ConstructionMarketFacts in the full Q3 2024 Report: https://bit.ly/4gseP95 #BuildingMaterialTrends #ConstructionIndustry #HomeImprovementTrends #InsightsAndData

The demand for sustainable, eco-friendly products has surged due to the government's ESG (environmental, social and governance) goals. These objectives have driven businesses and homeowners to invest in greener solutions. Consequently, the RMI sector has started to reactivate with homeowners increasingly opting for energy-efficient retrofits and renovations to reduce their carbon footprint and boost energy savings. Despite rising costs for materials like concrete and copper, signs of stabilisation are emerging, offering relief to suppliers and manufacturers maintaining margins. This is crucial for affordable housing projects with tighter budgets. Improved supply chains enhance resilience, enabling smoother progress. However, labour shortages challenge timelines and increase costs, emphasizing the need for strategic workforce planning and skills development to meet demand effectively. Looking ahead, government initiatives like the Get Britain Building plan offer a potential rebound in 2025. Policy shifts towards affordable housing could drive growth, address the housing shortage, and create expansion opportunities. By aligning with government goals and preparing for economic changes, the sector can navigate current challenges and emerge stronger, ready to seize future opportunities. Read more from #BMBI Expert Gonzalo Bunse of wienerberger UK: https://bit.ly/4gaSvBa For the full BMBI Q3 2024 Report: https://bit.ly/4gseP95 #BMBI #BuildersMerchants #Bricks #Construction

As we navigate the evolving dynamics of the sector, while considering our budgets and plans for 2025 and beyond, the Government seems to be focused on soundbites….300,000 houses a year is one that sticks in my mind. In Wood Based Products, we have the sustainability story on our side which, from a ‘big picture’ perspective, should give us some comfort that the future is improving in our direction. However, we are at a junction where global market pressures, shifting economic landscapes, and policy decisions converge to test our resilience and adaptability. What will happen to the imports of our key products? Chinese Plywood, for instance, looks likely to attract significant duty at some point soon to assist with Anti-Dumping. EUDR regulations to tackle deforestation and forest degradation in commodity supply chains will certainly reduce imports from some regions. But it looks like implementation has been delayed by the European Parliament for a year, to allow the process administration to be adopted fairly. All hurdles to be jumped! #BMBI Expert Simon Woods of West Fraser Europe: https://bit.ly/49K2U4r Read the full BMBI Q3 2024 Report: https://bit.ly/4gseP95 #BMBI #BuildersMerchants #Timber #Construction

A key focus for Q4 2024 and 2025 will be ensuring that we, and our partners, are fully prepared for growth. Despite the lack of short-term support for growth, the government has consistently reiterated targets for housing delivery to increase substantially to 300,000 homes a year. To do this, all stakeholders in the home building supply chain must have actionable plans in place to expand output to meet potential future demand. Working together with customers to innovate and modernise is a key enabler for growth, and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is one of those keys. Be it via offsite construction, pre-assembled parts, optimised design, or improving on-site processes, the opportunity to revolutionise UK construction is vast. Polypipe Building Products will be front and centre of the MMC movement to create sustainable living… faster, and more of it, comments #BMBI Expert Matt Williams of Polypipe. Read the Q3 2024 comment from #BMBI Expert Matt Williams of Polypipe: https://bit.ly/49yPus5 Read the full BMBI Q3 2024 Report: https://bit.ly/4gseP95 #BMBI #BuildersMerchants #Heating #Cooling

Going into the second half, we suspected the market conditions would be a bit tougher for natural stone and porcelain paving, and a slow-down might be on the cards. We weren’t wrong! Quarter three started with the outcome of the general election, and while we had hoped for an uplift in the market once the new government was appointed, this didn’t happen. Labour wasted an opportunity to boost business and consumer confidence with their warnings of tough times ahead, and this affected our RMI customer base. Many of the high-end landscapers we work with have had work put on hold as customers awaited the outcome of the Autumn budget statement. Now the budget is out, people know the impact the changes will have on their finances, and there will be many more customers choosing to keep money in the bank while the interest rates are still high rather than spend on garden improvements in the short term, at least. That said, there was one positive from Q3 - the turnaround in shipping prices. A drop in global demand meant that container prices have fallen sharply and as a result, Indian porcelain and sandstone have fallen in price too. To capitalise on low shipping prices, we are extending our range of products from India for 2025, and many of our merchant customers are placing large orders to stock up for the year ahead. It’s the right time to buy if you want to increase margins and encourage consumers with more budget-friendly options, comments #BMBI Expert Krystal Williams of Pavestone UK Limited. Read #BMBI Expert Krystal Williams of Pavestone UK Limited comment: https://bit.ly/49Hf2TJ For the full BMBI Q3 2024 Report: https://bit.ly/4gseP95 #BMBI #BuildersMerchants #Landscaping #NaturalStone