Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, produced by MRA research, shows February’s total like-for-like value sales (adjusted to remove the effect of trading days) were -4.3% lower than the same month in 2025.
With no difference in trading days, total unadjusted value sales were also -4.3% lower, with like-for-like volume sales were down -10.6% while prices increased +7.0%.
By value, six of the twelve categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving increasing +19.6%. Of the two biggest categories, Timber & Joinery Products (+0.3%) performed better than Total Builders Merchants, but Heavy Building Materials decreased -8.4%. Landscaping (-8.5%) was the weakest category, although only fractionally behind Heavy Building Materials.
Managing director of MRA Research, Mike Rigby, says: “The latest GfK Consumer Confidence Index shows a 2-point fall in March, to -21 – the third month of decline since January. The biggest drop was in views of the general economic situation over the next 12 months, which fell 6 points to -37. The major purchase index, indicative of potential spending on home improvements, tumbled 4 points to -18, while the savings index increased 6 points to 27. Consumers are very concerned about the impact of the war on the economy and are favouring money in the bank over spending.
“But there are some green shoots for merchants with a surge in consumer interest in electric vehicles and home energy upgrades, as consumers try to uncouple from erratic oil and gas prices. Octopus Energy and British Gas have both seen record increases in solar and heat pump enquiries. Paul Haynes, BAXI’s product, solutions & marketing director, BMBI’s expert for heating & hot water solutions, says the heat pumps market was up +25% in 2025 year on year.”
