BMBI: Year-On-Year Sales Growth In Double Digits

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveals that builders’ merchants’ October 2021 value sales were 11.1% up on October 2020. Double digit value growth in a more normal year would be remarkable, but this relatively modest year-on-year growth contrasts sharply with spectacular gains since summer 2020, as confidence returned after the country emerged from Lockdown One.

Eight out of twelve categories sold more in October 2021 compared to the same month in 2020, despite one less trading day this year. Timber & Joinery Products continued to top the list (+28.3%), while Landscaping (+9.5%), Heavy Building Materials (+6.5%), and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+4.7%) grew more slowly. Of the four categories that sold less, Workwear & Safetywear (-7.8%) was weakest.

Compared to October 2019, a pre-pandemic year, total merchant value sales were up 11.3% this October, with two less trading days. Four categories sold more, with overall growth driven primarily by the strength of Timber & Joinery Products (+34.7%) and Landscaping (+27.6%). Heavy Building Materials (+5.8%) and Services (+1.8%) sold more compared to the same month two years ago. Workwear & Safetywear (-14.6%) was again the weakest category. Total like-for-like value sales were 21.9% higher.

Source : Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI)

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