BMBI Report Reveals Value Sales Decline In April

• Builders' merchants' April value sales down by -0.9% despite +17% price inflation  

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveals that builders’ merchants’ value sales fell -0.9% in April 2022 compared to the same month in 2021, the first decline since January 2021. Price inflation of +17.0% helped to mitigate April’s -15.3% drop in volume sales compared to April 2021. 

Six categories did better than merchants overall, with Kitchens & Bathrooms performing best (+15.8%). Seven categories did better than Merchants overall, including Heavy Building Materials (+2.2%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+6.7%). Landscaping (-14.1%) was weakest. 

Compared to April 2019, a pre-pandemic year, total merchant value sales were +21.0% higher. All categories sold more driven by price inflation (+27.5%) rather than volume (-5.1%). Landscaping (+40.3%) and Timber & Joinery Products (+34.1%) performed best. Tools (+6.5%), Ironmongery (+5.1%) and Decorating (+4.5%) were among the categories which grew more slowly.

View the full report here.

Source : BMBI

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