The BMF’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) figures for Q2 2026 show that year-on-year sales of building materials are down in volume but up in price, indicating a slowdown in construction.
This continues the trend from Q1, with activity hampered by Middle East tensions affecting energy and oil prices, restrictive interest rates, and a lack of client and consumer confidence.
Quarter 2 2026 v Quarter 2 2025
Looking at the quarter in more detail, year-on-year total value sales for Q2 2026 fell by -1.2% compared with Q2 2025, with no difference in trading days between the two periods. However, volume sales fell noticeably, down by -6.6%, whereas average prices increased by +5.8%.
Heavy Building Materials, the largest of 12 product categories, was a key driver of these results, with value sales down -2.6% in Q2. This category also recorded the largest decline in value sales with -4.6% for the first half of 2026. Sales volumes were down by -10.4% compared to the first half of 2025, while average prices rose by +6.5%. Bricks and blocks were the most important negative contributors in this category.
Value sales in Q2 2026 for the second largest category, Timber and Joinery Products, were flat at 0.0% compared with the same period in 2025, but Renewables & Water Saving was the weakest category at -3.8%. Value sales did increase in three of the smaller categories: Services, +7.3%; Workwear and Safetywear, +4.5%; and Miscellaneous, +2.3%.
Quarter 2 2026 v Quarter 1 2026
Comparing the first two quarters of 2026 provides some hope for the future, with quarter-on-quarter growth in seven of the 12 categories.
With two fewer trading days in Q2 2026, unadjusted value sales for the Total Builders Merchants Market were up +14% on Q1 2026. Volume sales were up +16%, while prices fell by -1.7%. However, the seasonal category of Landscaping (+58%) was the main driver for the increase. Only one other category, Heavy Building Materials (+16.1%), outperformed the Total Market but, as noted, its year-on-year growth remains negative.
Like-for-like value sales, which have been adjusted to remove the impact of trading day differences, were +17.8% higher than in the previous quarter. Like-for-like volume sales increased by +19.8%.
July 2025 to June 2026 v July 2024 to June 2025
Value sales in the latest 12-month period were down -1.5% compared to the previous 12 months, while volume sales fell by -4.3%, with no difference in trading days. Prices increased by +2.9%.
Seven of the 12 categories sold more by value, led by Renewables and Water Saving (+8.5%). Timber and Joinery Products saw a marginal increase, up +1.0%. However, Landscaping, at -1.4% was among those selling less, while Heavy Building Materials was the weakest category by value, falling by -3.7%.
Emile van der Ryst, Key Account Manager – Trade & DIY at NiQ GfK, said: "By the end of June 2026, the wider UK economy remained in a state of minimal growth, which continues to hamper the construction sector. For the remainder of 2026 there is an expectation that merchants remain under pressure, with volumes recovering only gradually. Pricing should continue to cushion value, but unless housing, RMI and project confidence improve, the sector is likely to finish the year modestly down in value, with heavy-side categories still the clearest risk."
John Newcomb, CEO of the BMF, said: "Weak demand continues to weigh on building materials sales. Residential remains the biggest concern, while economic uncertainty, affordability pressures and high costs continue to hold back investment. Delivering planned investment in public and social housing, alongside measures to restore confidence in private housing, is essential to turn expectations into actual projects and achieve the growth we all want to see."
