Total Builders Merchants’ value sales in July 2025 increased by 0.1% year-on-year, while tool sales rose by 0.7% compared to the same period last year, according to the latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report.
Eight categories recorded year-on-year growth in July, led by Renewables & Water Saving (+3.7%), Timber & Joinery Products (+2.6%), and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+1.8%). Other categories that grew included Services (+1.7%), Miscellaneous (+0.8%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+0.8%), Tools (+0.7%), and Landscaping (+0.4%).
Conversely, Ironmongery (-0.1%), Heavy Building Materials (-1.1%), Decorating (-3.9%), and Workwear & Safetywear (-5.3%) all posted declines.
Commenting on the fastener and fixings sector, which falls under Ironmongery, Ian Doherty, Non-Executive Director of Hexstone and Owlett-Jaton, said:
“Demand in the fastener and fixings sector has continued to follow the general trends across merchants, with soft demand driven by sluggish levels of construction and Repair, Maintenance & Improvement (RMI) activity. Supplies remain stable in terms of availability, with some downward pressure on pricing.”
Month on month, total builders merchants’ value sales in July 2025 were 5.8% higher than in June 2025. Volume sales increased by 5.4%, while prices rose by 0.4%. All twelve categories recorded value growth, led by Miscellaneous (+11.3%), Services (+9.0%), Tools (+8.9%), Decorating (+7.4%), Timber & Joinery Products (+6.9%), Heavy Building Materials (+6.3%), and Ironmongery (+6%). Landscaping (+0.6%) showed slower growth than other categories.
With two more trading days in July, like-for-like value sales (adjusted for trading day differences) were 3.4% lower.
July’s BMBI value index stood at 127.2. All twelve categories exceeded 100, with the seasonal Landscaping category (145.2) indexing the highest. The Tools index rose to 123.2, up from 113.1 in June 2025.
Over the rolling 12-month period from August 2024 to July 2025, total builders merchants’ value sales were flat (0.0%) compared to the same period a year earlier. Volume sales increased by 1.7%, while prices declined by 1.7%. By value, seven of the twelve categories grew, led by Services (+3.7%), Tools (+3.3%), and Landscaping (+2.6%). Heavy Building Materials (0.0%) matched the overall market, while Timber & Joinery Products (-1.1%) lagged behind. Renewables & Water Saving (-3.9%) was the weakest performer.
With one fewer trading day this year, like-for-like value sales were 0.4% higher.
