Builders’ Merchant October value sales up

Of the two largest categories, Timber & Joinery Products rose 1.7%, while Heavy Building Materials fell 1.3%

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%. Five of the twelve categories sold more in value terms than in October 2024, led by Miscellaneous (7.7%) and Landscaping (6.7%).

Of the two largest categories, Timber & Joinery Products rose 1.7%, while Heavy Building Materials fell 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, 10 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.