The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in October, shows August’s total like-for-like value sales (adjusted to remove the effect of trading days) were up +0.5% compared to August 2025. Year-on-year like-for-like volume sales were down -5.4%, while prices increased +6.2%.

With no difference in trading days, August’s unadjusted value sales were also +0.5% higher than the same month a year before. Unadjusted volumes were down -5.4% and prices up by +6.2%. By value, nine of the twelve categories sold more with Workwear & Safetywear (+22.8%) the standout category. Timber & Joinery Products (+0.7%) made marginal gains, while the largest category, Heavy Building Materials eased -0.8%. Ironmongery (-1.5%) and Tools (-0.6%) were the weakest categories.

In the three months June to August, like-for-like value sales were -0.9% lower than the same three-month period in 2025. Like-for-like volume sales were down -7.7% and prices increased +7.4%.

With one additional trading day in the most recent three-month period, unadjusted value sales rose +0.7% compared to the same three months in 2025. Unadjusted volumes decreased -6.3% and prices increased +7.4%. By value, seven categories sold more, led by Workwear & Safetywear (+17.4%) and Services (+9.1%). Of the two largest categories, Timber & Joinery Products (+1.0%) increased more than Total Builders Merchants, while Heavy Building Materials was down -1.0%. Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (-1.6%) was the weakest category.

In the 12 months September 2025 to August 2026, like-for-like value sales were -1.4% down compared to the previous 12-month period (September 2024 to August 2025). Like-for-like volume sales were down -5.5%, while prices were up +4.3%.

With one extra trading day in the most recent 12-month period, unadjusted value sales were  -1.0% lower year-on-year. Unadjusted volume sales declined -5.1% and prices increased +4.3%. By value, seven categories sold more, with Renewables & Water Saving (+7.0%) the strongest category. Timber and Joinery Products was up +1.1% but Heavy Building Materials was the weakest category (-3.3%).

In the year to date (January to August), like-for-like value sales were -1.6% lower compared to the first eight months of 2025. But like-for-like volume sales were down -7.2% and prices were up +6.0%. With no difference in trading days, unadjusted value sales were also down

-1.6%, as volumes fell -7.2% and prices increased +6.0%. By unadjusted value, half the categories sold more with Workwear & Safetywear (+9.5%) growing the most. Timber & Joinery Products (+0.3%) performed better than Total Builders Merchants, but Heavy Building Materials (-3.9%) was again the weakest category.

For the full report, including comments from the BMBI’s panel of leading industry Experts, please visit www.bmbi.co.uk