Hand tool manufacturer KNIPEX has released new research on what plumbers want from merchants. The findings, pulled together from surveys, focus groups and merchant visits across the UK, claim 61% of plumbers say quality is their main priority, with just 9% putting price first. The research also highlights that trade …
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The Independent Kitchen Retailer Report 2026, a new research report commissioned by kitchen and appliance distributor, LDD UK, and conducted by Censuswide, has revealed 46% of independent retailers reported a decline in sales over the past 12 months. According to the report; which surveyed independent kitchen retailers across Greater London, …
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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 …
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The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in February, shows builders’ merchants’ like-for-like total value sales in November 2025 were -0.4% lower than the same month in 2024. With one less trading day in November 2025, unadjusted value sales were -5.1% down year-on-year, while volume sales were down …
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Wolseley Group, parent company of Plumb Centre and Renewables Centre, has published a report highlighting both the scale of the UK’s transition to heat pumps and how industry and policymakers can work together to achieve upcoming decarbonisation targets. Shared at a Westminster reception hosted by Matt Western MP, the report …
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The latest figures from the Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report show total value sales for August 2025 through specialist plumbing and heating merchants were down -2.6% compared to August 2024. Volume sales dropped -9.2% and prices increased +7.3% year-on-year. With one less trading day this year, like-for-like value …
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The latest figures from the Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report show total value sales for July 2025 through specialist plumbing and heating merchants were up +4.1% compared to July 2024. Volume sales dropped -2.1%, while prices rose +6.3% year-on-year. There was no difference in trading days. Month-on-month, July …
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Timber and panel product imports saw a slight decrease in volumes during the first half of 2025 according to the latest Timber Development UK (TDUK) report. Total imports reached 4.76 million m³ in the first six months of 2025, down 2.9% from 4.90 million m³ in the first half of …
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The UK is lagging far behind its European neighbours for installers working on heat pumps and solar panels, according to a European-wide study by plumbing and drainage manufacturer Wavin. The new report follows the government’s recent additions to the Future Homes Standard, which aims to ensure that the majority of …
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Marshalls, the building and landscaping products manufacturer, saw growth inch ahead during the first six months of the year, according to its results for the period ended June 30 2025. According to the report, the group returned to revenue growth with tangible early progress in the execution of its ‘Transform …
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