Total value sales at builders’ merchants’ were up 3.0% in April 2025 compared with April 2024, according to the latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in June.
Volumes increased 3.4% year-on-year, while prices fell 0.3%. With one less trading day in the most recent period, like-for-like value sales – which take trading day differences into account – were up +8.2%.
Seven of the 12 categories sold more compared to April last year, including Timber & Joinery Products (+1.7%), with the seasonal Landscaping category (+13.3%) well ahead of the rest. Workwear & Safetywear and Heavy Building Materials also performed well.
Value sales in April also saw a rise, up +0.9% above the previous month’s sales. Month-on-month, volume sales were flat at -0.2%, and prices increased +1.0%. Just four categories sold more compared to March, with Landscaping (+15.6%) and Workwear & Safety (+6.0%) ahead the most. The two largest categories – Timber & Joinery Products (+0.7%) and Heavy Building Materials (+0.1%) – sold more but underperformed compared to Total Merchants. With one less trading day in April, like-for-like value sales were +5.9% up.
The BMBI report can be downloaded online here.
