Builders’ Merchant October value sales up +0.2% year-on-year, volumes up 0.8%

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in January, shows builders’ merchants’ total value sales in October 2025 were up +0.2% compared to the same month a year before. Year-on-year volumes were up +0.8% but prices were down -0.6%. There was no difference in trading days.

Five of the twelve categories sold more in terms of value compared to October 2024, led by Miscellaneous (+7.7%) and Landscaping (+6.7%). Of the two largest categories, Timber & Joinery Products was up +1.7%, but Heavy Building Materials was down -1.3%. Renewables & Water Saving was the weakest performing category (-7.6%).

 

Compared to September, October’s like-for-like value sales (which take trading day differences into account) were down -1.7%. Without the trading day adjustment, total value sales were +2.8% higher month-on-month, with total volumes up +1.7%, and prices up +1.0%.

Looking at month-on-month value sales, ten categories sold more with Workwear & Safetywear (+8.3%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+8.2%), Miscellaneous (+7.9%) and Renewables & Water Saving (+7.0%) doing best. The largest category, Heavy Building Materials (+3.3%) performed better than Total Builders Merchants, while the second largest, Timber & Joinery Products (+2.5%) fell marginally behind.

Like-for-like value sales in the 12 months from November 2024 – October 2025 were up +1.1% compared to the previous 12-month period (November 2023 – October 2024). Without the adjustment for the additional trading day in the most recent 12 months, total value sales were +0.7% higher, with total volumes increasing +2.5% and prices falling -1.8%. By value, nine categories sold more with Landscaping (+3.8%), Services (+3.0%) and Miscellaneous (+3.0%) ahead the most. Decorating was weakest (-3.1%).

With an adjustment for one less trading day in 2025, like-for-like value sales for the year-to-date (January to October 2025) were +1.6% higher compared to the first ten months of 2024. Without the adjustment, total builders merchant value sales increased +1.1%.

Mike Rigby, Managing Director of MRA Research which produces the BMBI report says: “Looking at October merchant sales in context – concluding just weeks before the delayed Autumn budget – they reflect the apprehension felt by businesses and consumers waiting to find out how the budget would impact their finances.

“The IoD’s Economic Confidence Index, measuring business leader optimism in the UK economy hit a record low of -73 in November before the budget. A snap poll post-budget moderated the index to -72, but there was significant impact on revenue expectations, which dropped to the lowest reading since September 2020, and investment intentions, which registered the second lowest reading since May 2020.

“The latest GfK Consumer Confidence index registered a -2 point drop in November to -19 as all metrics took a hit, particularly the Major Purchase Index, which fell -3 points. The general economic picture was also a cause for concern for consumers, as expectations for the year ahead dropped -2 points to -32, 6 points below November 2024.

“The CPA’s Autumn Forecast was downbeat, with total construction output forecast downgraded from 1.9% growth for 2025 to 1.1%, and the forecast for 2026 being adjusted to 2.8% from 3.7%. The CPA suggests that overall activity has slowed since Spring, and activity in private housing and RMI is subdued with fragile consumer and investor confidence the likely driving factor.”

Set up and run by MRA Research, the BMBI – a brand of the Builders Merchants Federation – is a monthly index of builders’ merchant sales, and the most reliable, up-to-date measure of Repair, Maintenance, and Improvement (RMI) activity in the UK. The index is based on actual sales from GfK’s Builders’ Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data, which captures value sales out to builders from generalist builders’ merchants, accounting for 88% of total sales from builders’ merchants throughout Great Britain. An in-depth review, which includes commentary by sector experts, is provided each quarter.

October’s BMBI report is available to download at www.bmbi.co.uk.