Timber and Joinery Products Sales up 2.6% year-on-year in July

The latest figures from the Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI), published in September, show total value sales in July 2025 were virtually flat (+0.1%) compared to July 2024. Year-on-year volumes increased +0.6% while prices fell -0.6%, despite there being no difference in trading days.

Eight of the twelve categories sold more in terms of value compared to July last year. Timber & Joinery Products (+2.6%) was among the best performing categories, alongside Renewables & Water Saving (+3.7%), Kitchens & Bathrooms (+1.8%) and Services (+1.7%). Heavy Building Materials (-1.1%), Decorating (-3.9%) and Workwear & Safetywear (-5.3%) were the weakest.

Value sales in July were +5.8% higher than in June. Month-on-month, volume sales were up +5.4% and prices were up +0.4%. All categories’ value sales increased with Timber & Joinery Products (+6.9%) one of the stronger categories. Miscellaneous (+11.3%), Services (+9.0%), Tools (+8.9%), Decorating (+7.4%), Heavy Building Materials (+6.3%) and Ironmongery (+6.0%) also did better than most. With two extra trading days in July, like-for-like value sales (which take trading day differences into account) were -3.4% lower.

In the three months from May to July 2025, total value sales were +1.8% higher than the same three-month period a year before. Volume sales were up +3.0% while prices were down -1.2%. Ten categories sold more in terms of value with Renewables & Water Saving (+13.3%), Timber & Joinery Products (+4.0%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+3.9%) and Services (+2.8%) leading the field.

Total value sales in the 12 months from August 2024 – July 2025 were flat (0.0%) compared to the previous 12-month period (August 2023 – July 2024). Volume sales increased +1.7% but prices decreased -1.7%. Seven categories sold more by value. Of the two biggest categories, Heavy Building Materials’ (0.0%) performance was on a par with Total Builders Merchants, while Timber & Joinery Products (-1.1%) fell behind. With one less trading day this year, like-for-like value sales were +0.4% higher.

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