BMBI for July 2022: Flat Merchants’ Sales with Volumes Down -12.8% and Inflation Rising +15.0%

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveals that builders’ merchants’ value sales were virtually flat (+0.2%) in July 2022 compared to the same month in 2021. As in previous months, volume sales were down (-12.8%) yet price inflation remained high (+15.0%).

Ten of the twelve categories sold more in July 2022 compared to the previous year, including nine which outperformed Merchants overall. Renewables & Water Saving (+25.5%) Workwear & Safetywear (+20.2%), Kitchens & Bathrooms (+13.1%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+10.7%) did best. Only Landscaping (-4.6%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-14.4%) sold less.

Compared to July 2019, a more normal pre-pandemic year, total merchant value sales were +13.3% higher. With two less trading days this year, like-for-like sales were up +24.1%. Three categories did better than total Merchants: Timber & Joinery Products (+23.8%), Renewables & Water Saving (+18.6%) and Landscaping (+17.7%). Heavy Building Materials (+12.3%), Kitchens & Bathrooms (+11.3%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+2.9%) all grew more slowly.

You can download the full report here.

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