BMBI November 2025 report shows wholesale declines

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in January, shows builders’ merchants’ like-for-like total value sales in November 2025 were -0.4% lower than November 2024, with Timber and Joinery Products suffering a -2.4% loss year-on-year.

With one less trading day this November, unadjusted value sales were -5.1% down year-on-year. Volume sales fell -8.5% and prices rose +3.7%.

By value, unadjusted for trading day differences, five of the twelve categories sold more in terms of value compared to November 2024. Renewables & Water Saving (+5.1%) and Workwear & Safetywear (+4.0%) were the best performing categories.

Of the two largest categories, Timber and Joinery Products sold -2.4% less but did better than Total Builders Merchants, while Heavy Building Materials was the weakest category overall (-8.4%).

Month-on-month, November’s like-for-like value sales, adjusted to remove the impact of trading days, were down -2.0%. With three less trading days this month, unadjusted value sales were -14.8% lower in November than October. Volume sales fell -19.3%, and prices increased +5.7%.

All categories sold less, however Workwear and Safetywear (-0.2%) and Kitchens and Bathrooms (-3.8%) fell less than the others. Timber and Joinery Products (-13.5%) performed better than Total Builders Merchants, while seasonal category Landscaping (-25.2%) was weakest.

In the three months September to November, like-for-like value sales were flat (0.0%) compared to the same three-month period a year before. With no difference in trading days, unadjusted value sales were also flat (0.0%). Volume sales were down -0.5% and prices were up +0.5%. Eight categories sold more in terms of value, and Timber & Joinery Products (+2.0%) outperformed Total Merchants.

In the 12 months December 2024 to November 2025, like-for-like value sales were up +1.1% compared to the previous 12-month to November 2024.

Without the adjustment for one less trading day in the most recent 12 months, total value sales were +0.7% higher. Volumes increased +1.9% and prices came down -1.2%.

By value, nine categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving (+4.3%) the front runner. Timber & Joinery Products (+1.1%) and Heavy Building Materials (+0.1%) grew more slowly. Decorating (-2.8%) was the weakest.

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