Builders' merchants' revenue rises despite fall in sales volumes

Builders merchants recorded the highest revenue since their building index began in 2014 for the second quarter of this year despite a year-on-year drop in sales volume of 11 per cent.

The total value of sales for April to June was more than a quarter higher than the same period in 2019 and four per cent greater than in 2021 due to price inflation of more than 17 per cent.

Builders Merchants Federation chief executive John Newcomb said: “The negative effect of rampant inflation is starting to show with escalating input costs across fuel, energy, raw materials and wages impacting production costs and adding to existing material supply issues.

“It is plain to see the increase in sales values of building materials during the first half of the year has been driven by price inflation rather than volume growth.

Kitchens and bathrooms sales value surged by 18.5 per cent followed by heavy building materials with a nine per cent rise and decorating recording a seven per cent increase.

22 August 2022