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, published by MRA Research, show like-for-like value sales (adjusted to remove the impact of trading days) for February 2026 through specialist plumbing and heating merchants were -0.4% lower than the same month in 2025.
Like-for-like volume sales were down -4.1%, but prices increased +3.9%. There was no difference in trading days. Compared to January, February like-for-like value sales were +0.6% higher, with month-on-month like-for-like volumes sales up +1.1% while prices were down -0.5%. With one less trading day in February, unadjusted total value sales were down -4.2%. Unadjusted volumes fell -3.7% and prices were down -0.5%.
Compared to the previous three-months (September to November 2025), December 2025 to February 2026’s like-for-like value sales decreased -3.7%. Like-for-like volume sales were -7.9% lower while prices were +4.6% higher. With six less trading days in the most recent three-month period, unadjusted value sales were -12.6% lower. Unadjusted volume sales were -16.4% down and prices increased +4.6%.
Managing director of MRA Research, Mike Rigby, says: “Unsurprisingly, the latest GfK Consumer Confidence Index shows a -4-point fall in April, to -25 – the third consecutive month of decline – with consumer expectations of the general economic situation over the next 12 months, falling -6 points to -43. The major purchase index, indicative of potential spending on home improvements, remains at -18, while the savings index increased a further +5 points to 32. Consumers are favouring saving over spending.
“That said, there is one other place that consumers are increasingly keen to put their money. With rising oil and gas prices and an increase in the energy cap to come in July, there is considerable consumer interest in more sustainable living solutions to both lower household bills now and uncouple from further erratic fuel prices. Octopus Energy and British Gas both cite record increases in solar and heat pump enquiries.
“This is a significant opportunity for plumbing and heating merchants at a time when good news is in short supply. Whether it’s energy or water, pushing products that save consumers money will help drive sales in an otherwise difficult market.”
