Sales growth slows at UK Builders Merchants

Sales figures for the final quarter of 2018 published today in the BMF’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) show the first signs of a negative Brexit effect.

While Total Builders Merchants sales in Q4 2018 were a respectable 3.1% higher than in Q4 2017 on closer inspection the results are less encouraging. The Quarter started well, with October 2018 sales values up 6.8% year-on-year. However, November grew by 0.8% and December sales were just 1.0% higher than December 2017. Factor in inflation and volumes will have been lower.

In terms of sales value, Timber & Joinery Products had the strongest fourth quarter, finishing 6.1% ahead of Q4 2017. Landscaping (+5.2%), Plumbing Heating & Electrical (+4.4%) and Decorating (+4.1%) also delivered above the average. Seven categories under performed the total sales average, including Heavy Building Materials, by far the largest category, (+1.9%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms
(-0.9%).

Quarter 4 sales are generally lower than Quarter 3 and Total Builders Merchants average daily sales were down at -4.9%. Only two categories strongly bucked the trend, with Workwear & Safetywear up 17.7% and Plumbing Heating & Electrical 16.6% higher.

Year on year, 2018 total merchant sales finished +3.8% ahead of 2017 (down from the previous year on year rise of +6.3%). Four categories did better than average, led by Plumbing Heating & Electrical (+7.1%), with Timber & Joinery Products (+7.0%) just behind. Six categories grew more slowly, once again including the largest category Heavy Building Materials which recorded +2.5% increase.

Commenting on the latest figures, John Newcomb, BMF CEO said:

“The year ended on a subdued note for builders’ merchants’ sales. As the deadline for the UK to leave the EU draws ever closer, the uncertainty that surrounds the terms of our departure – in particular, the terms relating to how the UK will trade with Europe post-Brexit – is not helping our sector. In our current state of limbo, it is no surprise that both businesses and home-owners are deferring investment decisions. But until the Brexit riddle is solved, no-one can begin to predict what will happen next.”