October 2017 sales were 5% ahead of September, with one extra trading day this month, and the latest three months (August to October 2017) were 6.2% up on the same period last year (no difference in trading days).
The product areas seeing the biggest increases in October 2017, compared to October 2016, were tools (+12.3%), plumbing heating & electrical (+11.4%) and heavy building materials (+11.1%).
The figures are contained in the Builders Merchant Building Index, which tracks builders鈥� merchants鈥� actual sales.
John Newcomb, chief executive of the Builders Merchants Federation, said: 鈥淥ur figures are demonstrating that the builders鈥� merchants鈥� industry is resilient in the face of uncertainty. We continue to see strong growth overall, and across a wide range of categories in the industry, indicating the adaptability of merchants in responding to the needs of consumers.
鈥淭hese figures further reinforce our understanding that the builders鈥� merchants鈥� industry is delivering the building blocks for growth and is a vital part in supporting construction, infrastructure and housebuilding across the country.鈥�
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