Builders merchant sales fell in the last quarter of 2023, according to the BMBI figures.
The Government is being urged to consider reforming stamp duty in the Budget, in order to reinvigorate the housing market.
Total Plumbing branch hits the Street
Total Plumbing Supplies has opened a new branch in Street, Somerset, creating seven new jobs in the area. The branch is at Rockhaven Business Centre in Street. Regional director Rob West said: “We are delighted to bring Total Plumbing Supplies to Street and look forward to becoming an integral part of the trade and lo- cal community. Our new branch provides a wide range of high-quality plumbing and heating products, and we also have an Escape Bathroom Showroom, which features the latest innovative bathroom suites. We look forward to serving the needs of both tradespeople and residents in the local area.”
BMF and NMBS announce Group Affiliate scheme
The Builders Merchant Federation and buying group NMBS have created a new umbrella membership category whereby NMBS will become a Group Affiliate Member of the BMF from April 1 2024.
This will allow NMBS’ 814 non BMF members, and new NMBS members, to access BMF Training Courses and a limited range of Events and Services. All BMF training will be available to NMBS Affiliate Members under the arrangement, with a small premium charged over BMF standard rates. Affiliate Members will have access to “lite” versions of two of the most popular BMF support services, BMF Intelligent Employment Plus service, provided by Halborns, and the BMF Safety Club, provided by Opus. Affiliate members will also have full access to several BMF market reports, including the annual Remuneration Report, the monthly BMBI report and the bi- annual Forecast Report. They may also attend one Regional Meeting and one Sector Forum a year.
Primary aggregates sales volumes in Great Britain fell 5% year on year, according to the MPA. Ready-mixed concrete dropped by 6.2% and asphalt by 6.6%.
Builders’ Merchants’ sales fall 4%
The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report highlighted that builders’ merchants’ sales were down 4% in October 2023, compared to the same month in 2022 - volume sales dropping -11.5% and prices rising +8.4%. Eight of the 12 categories sold
more in October 2023 compared to the previous year, with Miscellaneous (+16.5%) topping the list.
Decorating (+10.8%),
Workwear & Safetywear (+10.4%), Ironmongery (+7.0%)
and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+4.7%) also did better than the merchants overall. Landscaping (-6.4%) and Timber & Joinery (-9.7%) were weakest. Month-on-month, total
merchant sales were up +2.2% in October compared to September 2023. Volume sales were flat, and prices rose moderately. 10 categories sold more with Workwear & Safetywear (+19.3%) ahead of the rest. Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+11.6%) also performed well.
Worcester Bosch launches Clean Heat Cashback Pledge
To encourage the uptake of heat pump heating systems, heating equipment supplier Worcester Bosch is to introduce an exclusive new Clean Heat Cashback Pledge to support consumers and installers alike with the transition to Bosch electrified heat pumps and hybrid systems.
The Clean Heat Cashback Pledge will be introduced alongside the implementation of the Government’s proposed Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM), which will impose fines
on boiler manufacturers based on their boiler sales to encourage the adoption of heat pumps. If the CHMM is introduced into law as set out in current Government proposals, from April 1 2024 Worcester Bosch will be offering cashback to consumers who choose to invest in a Bosch heat pump or hybrid system as well as additional cashback to installers. The Pledge would mean homeowners and landlords who complete a CHMM qualifying installation and choose a Bosch
heat pump on or after April 1 2024 will be able to claim £2,500 cashback, while those opting for a Bosch hybrid system will be able to claim £1,000. The Pledge will be open to qualifying installations until March 31 2025. The Clean Heat Cashback Pledge will be over and above the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme Grants (worth up to £7,500) available on heat pumps. l As this issue went to press, it had not been confirmed whether the CHMM would be scrapped.
NMBS names 2024: Year of the Independent Merchant
Buying group NMBS is launching a year-long campaign to shine a spotlight on its independent merchant members. Through profile-building case studies and social media campaigns, NMBS will be celebrating the success stories and strong relationships created between independent merchants, suppliers and local trades, sharing their tips and insights into how best to weather an uncertain year ahead and make the most of the new business opportunities in their local area.
Dean Hayward, NMBS head of February 2024
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
sales and marketing, said: “2024 is going to be another tough year. That said, pent up demand is clearly there, and the housing market is already starting to show green shoots of recovery. NMBS members are vital to supporting this recovery at a local level. NMBS is committed to helping independent merchants achieve profitable growth. “So we believe that, in shining a spotlight on NMBS independent members in this way, we can boost local economies and support the vital relationships between suppliers, merchants and installers. It’s by developing and nurturing
these business relationships that we can all thrive in 2024.” NMBS is the largest buying society in the UK for independent merchants, supporting more than 1,230 independents across 4,749 branches, covering the full range of independent builders, plumbing and heating, hardware, tool and timber merchants.
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