Timber and Joinery product sales fall 0.7% in latest BMBI report

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in September, shows July 2026’s total like-for-like value sales (adjusted to remove the effect of trading days) were -0.6% lower than July 2025. Like-for-like volume sales were down -7.6% year-on-year.

With no difference in trading days, July’s unadjusted value sales were also -0.6% lower compared to the same month in 2025. Volumes were down -7.6% and prices increased +7.6%.

By value, half of the twelve categories sold more. Both the largest categories, Timber and Joinery Products (-0.7%) and Heavy Building Materials (-2.6%) sold less.

In the three months May to July, like-for-like value sales were -1.2% lower than the same three-month period in 2025.

Like-for-like volume sales were down -8.0% and prices increased +7.4%. With no difference in trading days, unadjusted value sales were also down -1.2%, with volumes decreasing -8.0% and prices increasing +7.4%.

By value, only four categories sold more. Of the two largest, Timber and Joinery Products (-0.7%) fell less than Total Builders Merchants, while Heavy Building Materials (-2.8%) fell more.

In the 12 months August 2025 to July 2026, like-for-like value sales were down -1.5% compared to the previous 12-month period (August 2024 to July 2025).

With no difference in trading days, unadjusted value sales were also -1.5% lower year-on-year, while volume sales declined -5.0% and prices rose +3.7%.

By value, seven categories sold more, with Renewables & Water Saving (+7.2%) performing best.

Of the two largest categories, Timber and Joinery Products grew +0.8% while Heavy Building Materials slipped -3.8% and was weakest overall.

In the year to date (January to July), like-for-like value sales were -1.9% lower than the first seven months of 2025.

Like-for-like volume sales were down -7.4 % and prices were up +5.9%. With no difference in trading days, unadjusted value sales were also down -1.9%, as volumes fell -7.4% and prices increased +5.9%.

Timber and Joinery Products (+0.2%) performed better than Total Builders Merchants, while Heavy Building Materials (-4.3%) was the weakest category again.

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