Results from the Builders Merchants Market Report show that the builders merchants market is expected to see an annual recovery growth of 2-3% up to 2025, after the pandemic saw the market value to decrease by 11% in 2020
Builders merchants account for up to 85% of the UK’s built environment, and are a key part of the construction industry, contributing to over £40bn to the economy every year.
It is expected that we are to see more companies consolidate their networks, as some move away from small branches which may have been underperforming at late, to a focus on larger outlets, in the hopes that they will be better suited to the modern consumer’s needs.
Builders’ merchants who are within the end-use sector have fared differently to other product sector areas over the last 5 years. Some experienced a sharper downturn in demand during the pandemic and subsequent lockdown rules that were imposed, however many received a much quicker rebound in sales once the lockdown measures were eased.
Many in the sector are still noting that this was due to many consumers having money saved during the pandemic and wanting to improve upon their living standards whilst spending so much time in their homes.
HVAC equipment, plumbing and drainage products saw a double-digit decrease in 2020
The main product sectors that saw a downturn during lockdown measures were kitchens, bathrooms, roofing and insulation products, HVAC equipment, plumbing and drainage products. These all experienced a double-digit decrease in market value during 2020.
However, the downturn in sales was less evident for building materials such as timber and glazing, cement and plaster, and bricks and blocks.
The number of overall outlets within the builders’ merchants’ sectors continues to shrink further. For builders’ merchants, physical outlets will still remain a part of the central strategy, as consumers will still require items immediately or will want to physically see and touch items prior to purchase.
It is predicted that there will likely be more emphasis placed on the online channels, such as apps, which will offer a better experience for trade customers, where they will be able to manage their own business account with the merchant.
Builders merchants accounted for 8.5% of UK construction output in 2020
In 2020, builders’ merchants accounted for 8.5% of UK construction output, up slightly from 8.2% the previous year.
This was partly due to the reopening of builders’ merchants when many other stores were still closed during the height of the pandemic. This enabled them to bolster the demand for construction projects as they resumed, even when they faced many struggles such as product shortages, notably timber and structural steel.
