Builders’ Merchants’ Sales Surge in September

SALES BY Britain’s builders’ merchants surged in September 2020, with sales up 8.3% on September 2019, according to the latest Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) report.

Q3 2020 sales also increased compared to the same period last year (+1%) and were significantly up on Q2 2020 (+63.2%) when many merchants were closed. Kitchens & Bathrooms saw the strongest quarter-on-quarter recovery (+131%), but Q3 sales were down 7.1% year-on-year.

Year-on-year, landscaping Q3 sales are 24.2% up, its highest level since the index was set up in 2015. Workwear & Safetywear, up 8% compared to Q3 last year, benefited from a continued focus on PPE, while Timber & Joinery was up 3.5% over the same period.

Strong recovery

Although year-to-date sales were lower than in 2019 due to the impact of Covid-19 closures, overall sales had recovered strongly by September. The rate of recovery however, varied between product sectors – Heavy Building Materials sales are 16.1% behind the same period last year.

Comments by the BMBI experts featured in the report indicate exceptionally high demand in some sectors during the quarter – particularly those associated with home improvements.

“With a greater proportion of the UK population working from home than ever before,” explains Jim Blanthorne Managing Director Keylite Roof Windows, “the attention of many has turned to improving their homes to better serve the need for separate space for work and family life.”

Mike Rigby CEO of MRA Research, which produces the BMBI reports, said: “Merchants are expected to remain open for business throughout the second wave of Covid-19 with RMI work levels forecast to remain high.”