There were two fewer trading days in Q2 2017 than in 2016 (61 against 63), but total sales in Q2 were still 1.9% higher in 2017 than 2016.
For the first six months of the year UK builders merchants鈥 sales were 3.8% higher in 2017 than 2016. The number of trading days was the same for each year.
Richard Frankcom, manager at GfK, which collates the data, said: 鈥淭he BMBI report shows strong value growth in the first half of 2017, up 3.8% year on year. Quarter 2 has slowed compared to Quarter 1 in absolute terms but the timing of Easter shifted the bank holiday closings into the second quarter affecting the quarter on quarter positions. For this reason reviewing the year to date provides the clearest indication of market performance. Value growth year on year for the first half of 2017 was driven by the major categories of Timber and Joinery (+4.6% 鈥 particularly Cladding and Stairs &Stair Parts) and Heavy Building Materials (+4.1% 鈥 primarily Lintels, Roofing Products and Bricks and Blocks). Only Services and Work & Safety Wear have shown decline.鈥
VALUE EX VAT |
Index |
Q3 2015 |
Q4 2015 |
Q1 2016 |
Q2 2016 |
Q3 2016 |
Q4 2016 |
Q1 2017 |
Q2 2017 |
Total Builders Merchants |
100 |
108.7 |
95.4 |
99.8 |
113.6 |
112.9 |
100.9 |
106.0 |
116.0 |
Timber & Joinery Products |
100 |
108.3 |
96.6 |
100.0 |
109.0 |
111.1 |
100.7 |
107.1 |
112.3 |
Heavy Building Materials |
100 |
108.9 |
94.5 |
99.3 |
114.1 |
113.6 |
101.4 |
105.7 |
116.9 |
Decorating |
100 |
110.4 |
98.1 |
99.6 |
107.0 |
110.0 |
98.2 |
101.7 |
107.2 |
Tools |
100 |
102.5 |
95.1 |
97.8 |
103.5 |
102.8 |
97.3 |
106.7 |
104.7 |
Workwear & Safetywear |
100 |
108.0 |
104.9 |
108.2 |
100.1 |
99.4 |
105.5 |
108.8 |
95.3 |
Ironmongery |
100 |
109.1 |
101.6 |
107.5 |
112.2 |
115.5 |
107.4 |
115.3 |
117.9 |
Landscaping |
100 |
115.9 |
81.3 |
89.9 |
142.2 |
127.0 |
89.8 |
96.1 |
146.0 |
Plumbing, Heating & Electrical |
100 |
104.1 |
109.0 |
112.0 |
105.2 |
105.3 |
113.9 |
119.9 |
106.0 |
Renewables & Water Saving |
100 |
82.5 |
90.5 |
74.1 |
69.1 |
66.5 |
59.0 |
78.2 |
69.4 |
Kitchens & Bathrooms |
100 |
106.6 |
98.5 |
103.7 |
104.1 |
106.1 |
104.7 |
110.6 |
109.6 |
Miscellaneous |
100 |
103.4 |
99.0 |
108.1 |
111.3 |
115.1 |
109.4 |
115.5 |
112.5 |
Services |
100 |
107.9 |
99.0 |
101.0 |
114.7 |
113.9 |
98.9 |
99.3 |
107.6 |
Source: GfK's Builders Merchants Total Category Report 鈥 July 2014 to June 2017
The Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) tracks builders鈥 merchants鈥 actual sales to builders and contractors using GfK鈥檚 Builders鈥 Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data. The BMBI represents over 80% of the value of the builders' merchants' market.
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