BMBI: April Builders’ Merchant value sales up +3.0% year-on-year. Volumes up +3.4%

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales in April were up +3.0% compared to April 2024. Volumes increased +3.4% year-on-year, while prices eased -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%.

Year-on-Year

Seven of the twelve categories sold more compared to April last year, with seasonal category Landscaping (+13.3%) well ahead of the rest. Workwear & Safetywear (+8.7%), Miscellaneous (+5.3%) and Heavy Building Materials (+3.7%) performed well. Timber & Joinery Products (+1.7%) also sold more but less than Total Merchants. The weakest categories were Decorating (-3.3%) and Plumbing Heating & Electrical (-3.9%).

Month-on-Month

Value sales in April were +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 & Safetywear (+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.

Latest 12 months

Total value sales in the 12 months May 2024 to April 2025 were down -2.3% on the previous 12-month period (May 2023 to April 2024). Volume sales dropped -1.5% and prices were -0.8% lower. Five of the twelve categories sold more with Workwear & Safetywear and Tools (both +5.3%) out in front, followed by Services (+3.5%), Miscellaneous (+0.8%) and Landscaping (+0.2%). Timber & Joinery Products (-4.2%) and Heavy Building Materials (-2.6%) declined more than Total Merchants, while Renewables & Water Saving (-16.4%) was the weakest category.

Gordon Parnell, Sales Director at British Gypsum, part of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, and BMBI’s Expert for Drylining Systems, comments…

“It is widely acknowledged that we will see a recovery within the construction industry, weighted towards the second half of the year. While optimism remains, it is a cautious optimism given the wider global macro-economic factors that could again result in more volatility. Tariffs are becoming most people’s least favourite word of the year!

“Industry forecasts are marginally down from six months ago, but it’s hoped we will see a gradual recovery, supported by interest rate cuts to stimulate consumer confidence and confidence in the new build market. However, local planning consents and other barriers to building still need addressing.

“Against a backdrop of sustainability targets and decarbonisation initiatives, the construction industry is on a journey of evolution. Some current trends and the resulting changes are driving innovation – particularly among manufacturers who must ensure that products and solutions contribute to broader goals.

‘A notable impact on sustainability’

“Even the smallest innovation can have a notable impact on sustainability and the development of low carbon building materials for new construction projects. By reducing levels of embodied carbon through specified materials, buildings can begin their lifecycles from a sustainable foundation.

“But innovation is more than unlocking opportunities in material reuse and the circular economy. Construction professionals are more frequently using digital tools to maximise sustainability, efficiency and data integrity, and maximise the potential of building products.

“For example, our BIMlocker digital construction tool actively helps architects and specifiers mitigate risks from the design process – helping to preserve the quality and accuracy of system performance data and strengthen the golden thread.

“We’ve also launched a self-serve thermal calculator that builds on its predecessor, which offers enhanced functionality by integrating U-value calculations with condensation risk analysis in a single tool. It provides fast and accurate thermal performance measurements for floor, roof, and wall elements.”

BMBI Experts speak exclusively for their markets, explaining trends, issues and opportunities. For the latest reports, Expert comments and Round Table videos, visit www.bmbi.co.uk.

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