Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Figures released by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) in its latest Plumbing & Heating Merchants Index (PHMI) confirms that price is driving growth in value sales through specialist plumbing and heating merchants.
Plumbing & Heating merchants value sales in Q3 2022 were +10.8% higher than in Q3 2021. The increase came entirely from price inflation (+10.5%) with sales volume flat at +0.3%. With one less trading day, like-for-like value sales increased by +12.5%.
Performance in the Q3 2022 was slightly ahead of Q2 2022. A comparison of the last two quarters shows value sales in the third quarter were +9.1% higher than Q 2. Volume sales were +6.8% higher, with price up by +2.2%. However, with four more trading days in the most recent period, like-for-like sales in Q3 vs Q2 were up by +2.3%
Looking at sales performance for the year to date compared to the same period last year, Overall value sales in January to September 2022 were +7.1% higher than 2021. Volume sales were -1.3% lower and price up by +8.5%. Adjusted for two less trading days over the first three quarters of 2022, like-for-like sales were +8.2% higher.
The data for the PHMI is taken solely from P&H specialists, including City Plumbing Supplies, James Hargreaves Plumbing Depot, Plumbfix, PTS, Williams & Co, and Wolseley, who form part of GfK’s Plumbing & Heating Merchants Panel, and there is no overlap or double counting between the PHMI and the BMF’s established Builders Merchants Building Index which analyses sales at generalist merchants.
