NEWSROUND
Digital-first approach for NMBS
The National Merchant Buying Society has launched a brand-new website as part of a wider investment in digital services for its members.
It is part of a programme of work to improve and develop the technology used within NMBS to maintain and build on the valued service the society delivers to its members and suppliers. The website offers a more user-focused online experience and brings together information and resources in one easily accessible location with an improved structure and design. Members can keep up to date with NMBS and supplier news, find out about upcoming NMBS events and access secure areas to view their account and sales data.
Chris Hayward, chief executive officer at NMBS, said: “This investment reflects our decision to take an increasingly digital-first approach to business. We believe that by investing in our digital infrastructure we can make life easier for our members and suppliers. And in a world where a preference for digital engagement is fast becoming the norm in so many aspects of our lives, it makes sense for NMBS to ensure we are prepared to meet the changing needs and expectations of our membership.
“Phasing out a paper-based approach to our marketing and member service activities also brings obvious benefit to the environment.”
6
NBG acts to reduce plastic packaging
National Buying Group is stepping up efforts to reduce plastic packaging in the construction supply chain, and the potential tax impact on independent merchants. The ongoing dialogue with suppliers follows recent clarification of the obligated parties under the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging, which is expected to come into force in 2024. Having realised that the original proposals risked placing onerous obligations on the merchant, it is now understood that DEFRA will
consider a product’s supplier or brand owner, own label owner and importers as the obligated party or “producer”.
The organisation deemed to have the greatest influence on the packaging they place on the UK market will now face the greatest cost penalties. Those suppliers shipping products in plastic
Construction falls for second month running
UK construction companies suffered a second straight month of contraction according to the S&P Global/CIPS construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) came in at 49.2 in August, edging up from 48.9 in July but staying below the 50.0 threshold denoting growth.
“Not only did construction activity fall for the second month running, but a range of indicators from the survey pointed to further weakness ahead,” Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said. New orders showed the
weakest growth since June 2020 and concerns about the sector and the wider economy hit confidence, he said. Job creation slowed but price
pressures were their weakest since February 2021, a potential silver lining for the Bank of England as it monitors the impact of inflation in the labour market and the broader economy.
Cvil engineering contractors
suffered the biggest hit in the sector for a second month in a row while house-building activity increased for the first time in three months.
packaging and merchants opting to repackage product in their own branded packaging risk the greatest financial burden.
A recent NBG Sustainability and Cost Reduction Forum meeting, attended by both Partners and Suppliers, was given the results of an in-depth audit of a builder’s merchant that is facing a potential tax bill in excess of £75,000. The same audit calculated that suppliers of plastic packaging to Kellaway could be set for an even greater increase of somewhere between a 10 and 30-fold increase on current prices. Using these figures, the audit calculated a potential jump from £3,000 in 2022 to a staggering £196,000 come 2024.
Volumes down by -5.3% according to latest PHMI
Figures released by the Builders Merchants Federation in its latest Plumbing & Heating Merchants Index (PHMI) shows that sales values in Q2 2022 increased by +2.7% against Q1 2021, with one less trading day this year. The increase came entirely from price inflation (+8.4%), with volumes down by -5.3%. However, all three comparators for the month of June were down on their May 2022 equivalents. Sales values in June were -13.6% lower than the previous month, with one less trading day; volumes were -12.2% lower, and prices down -1.6%. After adjusting for trading day differences, sales values were down -9.2%. A similar picture emerges when comparing the first two quarters of 2022. Comparing the Q2 2022 with the first quarter of the year, Q2 sales values were down -10.6%, with both volume (-8.9%) and price (-1.8%) lower than Q1. After adjusting for three fewer trading days in the second period, sales values were down -6.1%.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net September 2022
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