IN BR IEF NEWS
Weather and Brexit fears take their toll on merchant sales
Figures for Q2 2019 just released in the BMF’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) r eport the first negative growth in sales thr ough UK builders mer chants since data collection began in 2014.
In value terms, total mer chant sales for the Q2 2019 wer e down -1.2% against the same period last year. The negative figur es were exacerbated by poor trading in June when sales wer e down by -8.1% year on year, albeit with one less trading day in June 2019. A comparison of average sales per day (which removes the
impact of trading day dif fer ences) saw a small Q2 incr ease of 0.4% over the same period last year. Sales of Heavy Building Materi - als (the largest category) declined by -1.6%, with the next largest category Timber & Joinery also showing a slight decline at -0.1%. Plumbing, Heating & Electrical product sales fell by -3.6%, while Kitchens & Bathr ooms was down -1.3%. Landscaping, sales of which normally rise during the second quarter, was the best per- forming category, rising by 1.2%. y, risin Comparing Year to Date Year to
performance figures for the first
stores.
six months of 2019 against 2018 continues to show value gr owth, but this has slowed to +2.1%, with value inflation the likely driver rather than volume.
The BMBI uses GfK’s point of sale tracking data drawn from over 80% of builders merchants’ sales, making it the most reliable source of data for the sector .
John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said “This is the first quarter we have seen a year on year decline since the BMBI was launched in 2014 but we remain cautiously optimis - tic that it will pr ove to be a blip. The slowdown may be weather r elated, or it may r eflect an
unwinding in the stockpiling that boosted sales volumes in Q1. A third possibility is that people ar e reluctant to commit to buying or improving their homes until Brexit is resolved once and for all.”
Emile van der R yst, senior client insight manager – trade, at GfK said “While business and consum - er confidence has been impacted by continued Brexit uncertainty in
2019...year to date figur es still show value growth against 2018 with core sub-categories within the two main product areas driv- ing this performance.”
The IPG have united with three of their members, namely Newline Plumbing & Heating Supplies, Plumb Inn, and Gas & Plumb Bits to launch their newfound
flagship stores across the UK, this Summer.
With the group expanding in size and success, The IPG has turned its sights to launching the first-ever set of IPG flagship stores, with three of its members. The first of the three stores, Newline Plumbing and Heating Supplies (“Newline”), is based in Kingswinford. The IPG have worked closely with Newline, to completely relaunch the store, looking at everything from store layout optimisation to new store fascia’s. Newline was founded in 1986 by Mike Kendrick, who was originally pledged £500 from his brother Pete Kendrick to start a business in Oldbury by selling plumbing and heavy side building materials.
September 2019
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
Scott Parnell opens
Lakes Showering Spaces has achieved the Carbon Footprint Standard bas ed on Lakes’ carbon footprint assessment being audited in a process following ISO 140064-3. The two- stage process audited all greenhouse gas emissions associated with Lakes’ UK operation.
Scott Parnell has announced the opening of its new depot in Leeds, which will be the fifth branch for the company, launched from its Witham Head Office in 2012. The new branch at Leeds will enable Scott Parnell to expand its business even further in the north of England with improved distribution channels.
Scott Parnell Leeds will be headed up by the company’s northern regional director, Steven Holroyd. He said: “The addition of our Leeds depot is an exciting development for the whole Scott Parnell team. As the business continues to grow and develop, it will enable us to finely tune our service across, not only the north of England, but the whole of the UK.”
MKM opens in Yeovil
MKM Building Supplies opened its new branch in Y
ch in Y Yeovil on August
5, on the town’ s Lufton Trading Estate creating 22 jobs.
The branch of fers a range of services including under floor heating, r oofing take of f, a brick matching service, plus 3D design services for kitchens and bath- rooms.
MKM Y Yeovil is headed up by
an experienced industry trio: Paul Costello, Nathan Cassidy and Mike Towill all with many years Tow expertise working within the trade.
David Kilburn, executive chair - man of MKM added: “Our team at Yeovil is very experienced and Yeovil is has an in-depth understanding of what trade customers need and will provide a customer service that is second to none.”
Nick Roberts has formally taken up his new post at builders merchant group T ravis Perkins, having first joined the Group as CEO designate on 1st July from design, engineering and project management consultancy
nsultancy y, Atkins to
ensure a smooth handover with his predecessor Carter
th his predecessor rter
r, John r, before taking up the CEO role on 5th
August. He said: “ Over the coming weeks and months I will be focused on the clear plan that we’re in the middle of executing, which is to focus on the trade and simplify the Group, and positions us well for the future. “
7
The BMF has opened its first North East Regional Centre of Excellence at Marshalls near Stockton on Tees. This 29th BMF centre, based in Marshall’s purpose-built Eaglescliffe premises, will serve BMF members in the North East region. The centre was opened by, from left Marshalls’ Peter Hallitt and Geoff Moulton, and the BMF’s John Newcomb and David Millward.
IN BRIEF
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