PHAM NEWS | MAY 2026 Merchant & Distributor News 13 Sustainable home centre in Darlington


Darlington-based DPH, a family-owned plumbing and building merchant, is now home to a full Sustainable Home Centre, in partnership with Daikin. Featuring a Daikin showroom and dedicated training facility, alongside a two-storey kitchen and bathroom exhibition with an on-site bespoke joinery workshop, the centre is designed to bring homeowners, installers and industry professionals together. The two-storey venue will host regular installer training sessions, product demonstrations and homeowner open days, giving local tradespeople the opportunity to gain certified upskilling and allowing consumers to see installations and interfaces in context. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/12


Mobile app provides easy access to product deals


Independent merchant MKM Building Supplies has launched its first dedicated eCommerce mobile app, giving trade customers an easier way to browse products, manage accounts and place orders straight from their phone or tablet. Open to all MKM customers, the app can be used by both account holders and guest users, and it allows them to browse their local branch stock, check branch-specific pricing, build baskets and pay invoices in seconds. Secure biometric login through Face ID or fingerprint makes signing in quick and simple, while a short welcome flow helps new users get started straightaway. There is also a voice search facility, while dedicated sections provide a quick way to take advantage of special offers and product clearances. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/13


February market snapshot


Latest figures from the Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report show like-for-like value sales (adjusted to remove the impact of trading days) for February were -0.4% lower than the same month in 2025. Like-for-like volume sales were down -4.1%, but prices increased +3.9%. Like-for-like value sales in the three-months December 2025 to


February 2026 were up +0.4% compared to the same period the year before (December 2024 to February 2025). However, like-for-like volume sales decreased -4.4%, while prices went up +5.1%. Reflecting on the latest figures and potential opportunities for merchants, Mike Rigby, MD of MRA Research, says: “With rising oil and gas prices and an increase in the energy cap to come in July, there is considerable consumer interest in more sustainable living solutions to both lower household bills now and uncouple from further erratic fuel prices. Octopus Energy and British Gas both cite record increases in solar and heat pump enquiries. “This is a significant opportunity for plumbing and heating merchants


at a time when good news is in short supply. Whether it’s energy or water, pushing products that save consumers money will help drive sales in an otherwise difficult market.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/14


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