The Pulse: Economic and political uncertainty provides a strong headwind
While sales expectations for October recovered compared to last year, and merchants’ confidence in their own business also improved year on year,... Learn More
The Pulse: Merchants are downbeat but confidence starts to recover
Merchants expect sales to fall as the cost of living crisis and soaring prices weaken consumer demand. Merchants’ confidence in the market... Learn More
The Pulse: Market confidence declines further as merchants face higher costs and slowing demand
Confidence in the prospects for the market declined this month to a new low for 2022 of a net -46% year... Learn More
The Pulse: Builders’ Merchants’ confidence in the market drops sharply but they still expect sales to increase
Merchants report multiple problems affecting their business, including lead times and skills shortages, with supplier price rises and product availability being... Learn More
The Pulse: Nine in ten builders’ merchants affected by supplier price rises
Just under 90% percent of builders’ merchants in May are hit by supplier price rises. Over 80% suffer some level of... Learn More
The Pulse: Merchants’ confidence in the market tumbles
Merchants’ sales expectations remain at historically high levels for the month, quarter and six months ahead but confidence in the market... Learn More
The Pulse: Merchants’ mood is still buoyant
After a sharp rise in February, merchants’ sales expectations and confidence in the market had only one way to go, and... Learn More
The Pulse: Strong expectations for the next 6 months
This time last year, the country was in yet another lockdown so, not surprisingly, merchants expect sales in February 2022 to be... Learn More
The Pulse: A good start to the year for Merchants
In January, merchants reported a strong outlook with improvements in supply, but they remain cautious. Merchants’ sales expectations for the first quarter... Learn More
The Pulse: Merchants are positive and confident about 2022
Lead times have lengthened, and the supply chain is stretched, but merchants are positive and their confidence in the market has strengthened.... Learn More