The latest figures from the Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report show total value sales for April 2025 through specialist plumbing and heating merchants were up +0.7% compared to… Read more
The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in June, shows builders’ merchants’ total value sales in April were up +3.0% compared to April 2024. Volumes increased +3.4% year-on-year,… Read more
The Office for National Statistics published estimates of Construction Output for April 2025 this morning. Main points: • Monthly construction output is estimated to have grown by 0.9% in April… Read more
Quarter 1 2025 has been another UK residential construction quarter best described as ‘in recovery’ rather than recovered. Most green shoots of recovery we have experienced in the last two… Read more
The second half of 2024 was marked by some unexpected changes in the manufacturing supply chain. As a result, some sizeable shifts in merchant distribution partners for the UK building… Read more
The recent U.S. tariff changes are creating significant ripple effects across global supply chains, placing additional pressures on UK merchants who already contend with managing steady sales and maintaining margins…. Read more
In a mixed market, Keylite came strongly out of the blocks with excellent sales growth over the prior year. January & February were good, but March was over 30% up… Read more
The paint industry was initially optimistic about the prospects for 2025, but it has been an uncertain start to the year, with global turmoil overshadowing what was predicted to be… Read more
Demand in the fastener and fixings sector has continued to follow the general trends across merchants, with continuing soft demand driven by the sluggish levels of construction and RM&I activity…. Read more
It’s been a robust start to the year, with bagged cement products for RMI in high demand, and bulk aggregate sales also starting well. The forecast was gloomy, but Q1… Read more
Launched in 2015, the award winning monthly Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report is the only reliable measure of repair, maintenance & improvement (RMI) activity in the UK. Filling an important gap, it can be widely used in construction, and by economists, Government, national media, commentators and influencers outside the industry.
