At the end of 2023 the trade paint market stood at 1.5% growth year-on-year, after mostly flat Q4 volume sales. In contrast, the trade woodcare market attained growth of 9%… Read more

The subdued market conditions seen in Q2 and Q3 have continued through into Q4, with both new construction and RM&I down year-on-year. This has impacted directly on volumes in fasteners… Read more

It was a subdued end of the year for the Cement and Aggregates market, as mild but wet conditions left sales quieter than expected in Q4 and for 2023 as… Read more

Usually, I begin with a word on the numbers. A general view, and a more granular look at some of the data that relates to mineral wool insulation. Merchants don’t… Read more

A challenging landscape lies ahead in 2024 for our industry once again as the ongoing subdued economic backdrop continues to dent consumer confidence. Operating costs in conjunction with fixed price… Read more

Reflecting on 2023, the headlines for Q1 reads: ‘The first quarter of 2023 is down on the previous year’; Q2’s reads ‘The second quarter of 2023 delivered no excitement and… Read more

What will happen to the window and door industry in 2024? It’s easy to get depressed by bad news and talk the market down. But if you look there’s also… Read more

Last year closed with the newbuilding sector still sluggish. Operators in the brick and tile sector remain cautious for 2024 however with interest rates flatlining and inflation reducing  since September,… Read more

Despite economists previously forecasting weak growth for the construction sector in 2024, it’s now predicted that we’ll have to wait until 2025 for a rebound of 2%. The bad weather… Read more

Twenty twenty-three ended much as we would have expected for a normal Q4, with seasonal trade patterns returning. Despite last year having its challenges, the mood in the industry seemed… Read more