Builders’ Merchant Sales Remain Flat in May

Total like-for-like value sales were essentially flat in May 2026, -0.1% lower than May 2025, according to the latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report.

With one less trading day in May 2026, year-on-year unadjusted value sales were -5.1% lower. Volumes were down -10.5% while prices increased +6.1%.

By value, only two of the twelve categories sold more: Workwear & Safetywear (+7.5%) and Services (+3.3%). Of the 10 categories selling less, Renewables & Water Saving (-10.7%), Decorating (-6.8%), Ironmongery (-6.7%) and Heavy Building Materials (-6.4%) recorded the largest decreases.

In the three months March to May 2026, like-for-like value sales were -1.6% lower than the same three months in 2025. Like-for-like volume sales were down -5.9% but prices increased +4.5%. With no difference in trading days, unadjusted value sales were also -1.6% lower, with volumes down -5.9% and prices up +4.5%.

By value, five categories sold more, with Workwear & Safetywear (+5.8%) and Services (+5.8%) increasing the most. Of the two largest categories, Timber & Joinery Products (+0.2%) did better than Total Builders Merchants, while Heavy Building Materials (-3.3%) was the weakest category.

Year-on-Year

In the 12 months from June 2025 to May 2026, like-for-like value sales were down -1.2% compared to the previous 12-month period (June 2024 to May 2025). With no difference in trading days, unadjusted value sales were also -1.2% lower, while volumes declined -3.2% and prices edged up +2.1%.

By value, seven categories sold more, with Renewables & Water Saving (+10.4%) out in front. Of the two largest categories, Timber and Joinery Products grew +1.4% while Heavy Building Materials fell -3.4%.

In the year to date (January to May 2026), like-for-like value sales were -2.1% lower than the first five months of 2025. Like-for-like volume sales were down -6.8% and prices were up +5.0%. With one less trading day in the most recent year, unadjusted value sales were down -3.1%.

Volumes fell -7.7% and prices increased +5.0%. By value only three categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving (+9.6%) growing the most. Timber & Joinery Products (-0.2%) declined less than Total Builders Merchants, but Heavy Building Materials was down -5.6%, and the weakest category.

Sales in the Doldrums

Mike Rigby, Managing Director of MRA Research which produces the BMBI report says: “Builders’ Merchants’ sales are in the Doldrums: value sales are flat, prices up, volume down year on year while the Government sorts itself out.

“The parallels with the Doldrums, a real place, are uncanny. It’s a low-pressure area near the Equator where the prevailing breeze can disappear, making it extremely difficult to navigate. It has a reputation for stranding ships for weeks on end, causing them to run out of supplies. It’s not just about stagnant calm winds. Weather patterns can also be erratic moving quickly to violent thunder and electric storms.

“However, with Andy Burnham as Prime Minister, could this be the reset the industry needs – a fresh opportunity to get Britain building again?

“The new PM is saying, without fleshing out the detail, what the building industry wants to hear: a commitment to growth in every postcode; devolved powers over housing, infrastructure and regeneration projects; the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period. But we’ve been here before. Ex PM Starmer promised to build 1.5 million homes in five years, but that was pie in the sky. The major problems which have dogged that ambitious build programme have gone unresolved. We will have to wait for the ‘King of the North’ to get his feet under the table in Downing Street, to see whether he can translate his Manchesterism ideology on to the national stage.”

The May 2026 BMBI report is available to download now.

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