PHAM NEWS | FEBRUARY 2025 Merchant & Distributor News Drop in sales amid price declines


The latest Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report shows November 2024 value sales fell 4.5% year-on-year, with


volumes down 0.5% and prices dropping 4%. Adjusted for one fewer trading day, like- for-like-sales were fl at. Month-on-month, November sales dropped 4.3% from October, with volumes down 6% and prices up 1.8%. Adjusted for fewer trading days, like-for- like sales rose 4.9%. The three months to November 2024


saw value sales up 0.5% year-on-year, with volumes 4.4% higher but prices 3.7% lower. Compared to the previous three months, value sales rose 18.9%, with volumes and prices both up 9.1%. Adjusted for trading days, like-for-like sales increased 17.1%. Over the 12 months to November 2024,


value sales fell 1.6%, with volumes up 0.8% and prices down 2.4%. Adjusted for trading days, like-for-like sales dropped 2.4%. Mike Rigby, CEO of MRA Research, which produces the report, says: “Falling


volumes and prices made for a disappointing November, and, in the short term at least, the deck seems stacked against growth. “Having been promised growth, the public


and businesses weren’t expecting an abrupt change in tone and a budget that would postpone or prevent growth. Business and consumer confi dence wilted rapidly as the Chancellor talked down the economy. “UK consumer confi dence fell sharply in January to the lowest level in more than a year as a rise in government borrowing costs and warnings of job cuts combined with gloomy government rhetoric and howls of pain from businesses as they calculated the eff ects of the budget on their profi t and growth prospects. “We could see a return to the ‘improve,


don’t move’ mentality, as homeowners prioritise budget-friendly projects to spruce up their properties rather than committing to large purchases or house moves.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/225/13


Doncaster opens a new trade counter


A brand-new Plumb Centre branch has opened in Doncaster, where a ribbon cutting ceremony welcomed new customers, supplier partners and the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, who attended to show support for the new site. The new trade counter and showroom space is located at Unit 22 of the Shaw Lane Industrial Estate, giving trade professionals access to Plumb Centre’s range of heating, plumbing and renewable products, and much more, all under one roof. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/225/14


It’s a deal!


A new partnership has been established between Mark Vitow Ltd and Ox Tools, which will introduce Ox Tools’ products to the distributor’s network of plumbing and heating merchants across the UK. Ox Tools started in 2010, originally importing diamond blades into the UK. Since then, the company has launched new products and introduced its own workwear range, appealing to a new generation of installers with high-quality tools, a distinctive look, and an engaged community. The partnership with Mark Vitow aims to build on that momentum, merging the Ox Tools brand with Mark Vitow’s extensive


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network to deliver on ambitious growth plans. James Cranham, commercial director at


Mark Vitow, says: “This collaboration with Ox Tools is a natural fi t – it’s fresh, exciting, and laser-focused. Our shared goal is to fuel brand growth and deliver unmatched value to our customers.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/225/15


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