Builders’ Merchants’ Q1 Sales Down as Iran War Hits Pause

Builders’ merchants’ like-for-like value sales for Q1 2026 were -3.2% lower than Q1 2025, according to the latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report.

By value, seven of the twelve categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving (+14.3%) performing best. Of the two biggest categories, Timber & Joinery Products (+0.9%) performed better than Total Builders Merchants, but Heavy Building Materials fell -6.7%.

Q1 Sales Down

March 2026 like-for-like value sales were -3.6% lower than March 2025. Like-for-like volume sales dropped -7.8% while prices increased +4.6%. With one additional trading day in March 2026, unadjusted total value sales were up +1.0% year-on-year. Unadjusted volumes were -3.4% lower and prices were +4.6% higher.

Ten categories sold more by unadjusted value, with Renewables & Water Saving (+14.5%) the standout category followed by Workwear & Safetywear (+14.0%) and Services (+7.4%). Timber & Joinery Products (+4.2%) outperformed Total Builders Merchants, but Heavy Building Materials was down -1.7%.

In the 12 months from April 2025 to March 2026, like-for-like value sales were flat (0.0%) compared to the previous 12 months (April 2024 to March 2025). Like-for-like volume sales were down -1.0% but prices increased +1.0%.

With one less trading day in the most recent 12-month period, unadjusted value sales were down -0.4% with volumes down -1.4% and prices up +1.0%. By value, nine of the twelve categories sold more, led by Renewables & Water Saving (+8.5%). Timber & Joinery Products grew +2.1% however Heavy Building Materials declined -2.4% and was the weakest category overall.

Unwelcome Surprises

Mike Rigby, MD of MRA Research who produce this report, says: “Every year of the 2020s seems to come with seriously unwelcome surprises, and 2026 is no exception. The Iran war has massively impacted business and consumer confidence and the Q1 merchant sales figures reflect that.

“Research by PwC revealed that 90% of consumers were worried about the cost of living, and almost 80% planned to cut back on spending over the next quarter. Barclays too found customers trimming out non-essential spending over the first three months of the year. These findings are confirmed in the authoritative April GfK Consumer Confidence Index, which shows a sharp fall in the overall index, down -4 points to -25; the lowest level since February 2023.

“Consumer expectations for the General Economic Situation over the next 12 months’ fell -6 to -43, six points worse than last year. Their expectations for Personal Financial Situation over the next 12 months dropped -5 points, at -4 it’s one point lower than this time last year. Consumers are saving more (+5 over last month, and two points higher than this time last year), but there was no change to the Major Purchase Index, suggesting no worsening in larger home improvement project spending.

“Cost of fuel and food increases are concerning many people, but there are still pockets of optimism. The Bank of England reported a slight increase in mortgage approvals to 63,500 in Q1 2026, which will be music to developers’ ears. But any significant recovery will be limited by higher mortgage costs, lower affordability and heightened uncertainty fuelled by geopolitical volatility and a lack of direction in Government.

“With the job of Prime Minister in play, and a regional and local government shakeup following the May elections, businesses and consumers are in for a few wait-and-see months. We’re almost halfway through the year but we’re a long way from knowing how 2026 will pan out for merchants. There are too many balls in the air to tell!”

Download the Q1 2026 BMBI report.

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