Data reveals sales in June were up 12.4 per cent when compared to the same time last year, despite Brexit concerns…
Last week the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) reported the sector had seen strong performance, despite the uncertainty surrounding the vote to leave the EU.
The assertion was made after supplier Travis Perkins said the vote had affected its sales performance.
However, strong performance has also been seen in Scotland, where builders’ merchants reported some of the strongest sales seen across the country when compared to the same time last year.
The data from the BMF revealed June saw sales in Scotland increase by 12.4 per cent when compared to 2015, while across the UK, June sales grew 3.1 per cent.
The growth is at odds with official statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which revealed the construction sector had seen a decrease in output of 0.4 per cent during Q2 2016. This followed a decrease of 0.3 per cent in the previous quarter.
Nikki Mortimer, BMF board member and director of sales and marketing at GPH, said: “The figures released are very encouraging and suggest that Scotland is bucking the trend with an overall increase in Sales although there are clearly regional variations to consider.
“It is still too early to see the full impact Brexit might have on the Scottish economy but as a resilient industry we are well placed to meet any challenges the future may hold.”
John Newcomb, managing director of the BMF, added: “Economic and political uncertainty in the run-up to the EU referendum was expected to cause a slow-down in the construction sector. However, sales data from our builders’ merchant members is telling a very different story, particularly in Scotland.
“We are confident that our members will continue to perform strongly, and the BMF will work with the government to ensure the best outcomes for our members as the Brexit deal is negotiated.”
