22 Jul 2020
Builders’ merchant sales bounce back in May
The latest figures from the May Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveal a sharp rise in sales as lockdown restrictions ease and trades return to work.
Year-on-year, Total Builders Merchants value sales in May were down -39.9% compared with May 2019, reflecting the cautious reopening of merchant branches with many still operating a restricted service. However, the overall trading figures are a significant improvement on April 2020 sales (-76.3%).
A closer look at how individual product categories performed in May reveals that year-on-year, Tools (-66.1%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (-62.7%) have been hit hardest by the pandemic lockdown. Timber & Joinery Products were also down by 40.5% over the same period, however month-on-month, the category is showing some green shoots of recovery with sales more than tripling compared to April 2020 (+199.5%). Heavy Building Materials, the largest product category, was down 39.0% year-on-year but showed a substantial month-on-month improvement on April 2020 (+157.6%).
The biggest winner in May was Landscaping, with sales of this seasonal category down just -12.5% on May 2019. This is a remarkable recovery from April, when sales were down a massive -74.4% compared to April 2019. Workwear & Safetywear was less affected by the lockdown, with demand for PPE continuing to drive sales.
The BMBI is a brand of the Builders’ Merchants Federation, developed and produced by MRA Marketing. The Index uses GfK’s Builders Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data which analyses sales out data from over 80% of generalist builders’ merchants’ sales across Great Britain, making it the most reliable source of data for the sector.
BMF CEO John Newcomb comments: “As expected, May’s sales figures show a huge year-on-year decline, but they also indicate the strength of the initial bounce-back from April’s COVID-19 crash low-point. The massive effort by the entire supply chain to develop and implement COVID-secure working practices to enable the safe and rapid re-opening of manufacturing facilities, merchant branches and construction sites can be seen in May’s results. There is a long way to go on the road to recovery, but we can look on this as a positive first step.”
Emile van der Ryst, Senior Client Insight Manager – Trade at GfK adds: “The Builders Merchants sector has seen a strong and expected recovery from April’s lockdown as the core categories of Heavy Building Materials, Timber & Joinery and Landscaping drive market activity. May growth is still down by -40% from last year, with the next couple of months critical. Favourable weather conditions and relaxed restrictions will hopefully provide the platform for these core categories to recover some of the losses seen during lockdown.”
Download the May report, watch the round table videos and learn more about the Experts at www.thebmbi.co.uk.
Like what you've read?
Sign up for more interesting stories and great construction marketing insights.
25 Jul 2022
Plumbing & Heating May sales up 12.2% year on year: volume +3.8%, prices +8.1%
13 Jun 2022
June Construction Update from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
01 Jun 2022
Builders’ Merchants’ confidence in the market drops sharply but they still expect sales to increase
24 May 2022
April’s plumbing and heating value sales fell -5.8% despite 8.6% price inflation
22 Oct 2021
Specialist plumbing & heating merchants maintain year-on-year growth in August
21 Jul 2021
Builders’ Merchants’ sales up year-on-year as industry continues growth trajectory
25 Jan 2021
Better Data, Safer Building: CPA launches consultation on new Product Information Code
02 Jun 2020
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) COVID-19 task force draws up construction recovery plan lasting two years
04 Nov 2016
Congratulations to Jeff House who is the winner of an iPad Pro from our Construction Products Association (CPA) Vote competitio
04 Nov 2016
Congratulations to Jeff House who is the winner of an iPad Pro from our Construction Products Association (CPA) Vote competitio
19 Oct 2016
MRA Marketing has been shortlisted for a record 17 awards in this year’s prestigious Construction Marketing Awards (CMA).
25 Nov 2014
Tom Rigby joins the team to generate new business and develop MRA’s services to help more companies grow.
13 Feb 2014
Marketing & Merchandising masterclass by Mike Rigby at BMF Branch Managers' Forum
