Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
The latest figures from the Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report, produced by MRA Research, show total like-for-like value sales for November 2025 through specialist plumbing and heating merchants were up +2.7% compared to the same month the year before.
With one less trading day in November 2025, unadjusted value sales were down -2.2%. Unadjusted volume sales fell -6.5% and prices went up +4.6%.
Like-for-like value sales in the three-months September to November were +1.6% higher than the same period last year (September to November 2024). There was no difference in trading days, so unadjusted value sales were also +1.6%. Unadjusted volume sales were -1.8% down and prices increased +3.4%.
Compared to the previous three-months, June to August, however, September to November’s like-for-like value sales increased +16.5%. With one extra trading day in the most recent three-month period, unadjusted value sales increased +18.3%. Unadjusted volume sales were +10.5% up, and prices increased +7.1%.
Managing director of MRA Research, Mike Rigby, says: “During November, in the run up to the budget, the Government created so much uncertainty and unease that many consumers and businesses just sat on their hands and paused their spending on larger items and projects until they could see what the Chancellor announced.
“In the event, the budget was less extreme than expected. Consumers and businesses breathed a little easier and got back to plan, but by then the damage had been done to November’s sales.
“Consumer confidence dropped two points in November to -19, according to the GfK Consumer Confidence index. But then, in a national sigh of relief, all five measures of confidence were up in December compared to November, and the overall index recovered two points to -17. The major purchase index was up four points to -11 from -15 in November, which is a very positive indicator of future spending on RMI and larger home projects.
“But overall confidence at -17 is the same as in December 2024, so the year as a whole has not progressed, and the country is still waiting for the better times it voted for to materialise.”
To download the latest report, or learn more about becoming an Expert, speaking on behalf of your market, visit www.phmi.co.uk.
