The 17th Edition of the Builders Merchants Market Report – UK 2021-2025 has been published, incorporating original input and primary research, the report contains an in-depth analysis of the UK builders’ merchants sector, including market structure, recent market and future trends, along with supplier and regional analysis.

In 2020, merchant sales accounted for 8.5% of total construction output in the UK. Although this was down from almost 9% four years earlier, it represented a slight increase compared with 2019, with many merchants having been able to stay open and continue trading during lockdown periods.

Environmental legislation remains at the forefront of much of the UK’s construction activity, with the continued emphasis upon more efficient forms of energy within buildings, as well as the use of sustainably sourced materials and eco-friendly construction methods.

Prospects for the builders & plumbers’ merchants’ market remain broadly positive over the next five years. However, the performance of the market remains heavily dependent upon construction activity and the UK economic situation, as well as whether the vaccination programme can halt the potential spread of new strains of Covid-19.

Advances in technology are also set to change the way supply chains operate as far as construction and building materials are concerned, specifically those existing between merchants and their suppliers. Greater digitalisation is expected to ensure greater traceability of building materials moving throughout the supply chain, as well as use of artificial intelligence (AI) to predict future product demand.

Nevertheless, opportunities should continue to emerge for merchants, especially given the current enthusiasm for building projects at government level. Those embracing the switch to online sourcing and purchasing are likely to represent the best performers over the next five years.

Our Finding & Selecting a Market Research Agency feature, sponsored by AMA Research, looks at finding and selecting a specialist agency
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Key Areas Covered in the Report

Market Overview

  • UK builders’ merchants’ market – including market definition, market size by value, recent and current situation 2015-2020 with estimates for 2021, recent market performance, growth.
  • Market breakdown – analysis of the merchants’ market segmented according to turnover and employment sizebands, as well as by region.
  • Key market influences – including construction output, residential housing market, growth of e-commerce and legislation.
  • Customer profiles – housebuilding and construction firms, contractors, consumers and the public sector.
  • Market prospects – market size, key growth areas, market developments and forecast trends up to 2025.

Product Sectors

  • Market mix by product – mix and sector trends 2020, factors influencing each sector, presence of merchants compared with other distribution rivals.
  • UK market for HVAC products 2016-2025 – key product mix and trends and sector development.
  • UK market for timber & glazing products 2016-2025 – key product mix and trends and sector development.
  • UK market for bricks, blocks, building envelopes & concrete 2016-2025 – mix by product type and sector development.
  • UK market for cement & plaster 2016-2025 – product trends and sector development.
  • UK market for domestic kitchens 2016-2025 – product trends and sector development.
  • UK market for plumbing & drainage products 2016-2025 – product trends and sector development.
  • UK market for bathrooms 2016-2025 – product trends and sector development.
  • UK market for roofing & insulation products 2016-2025 – product trends and sector development.
  • UK market for decorating materials 2016-2025 – product trends and sector development.
  • UK market for other building materials 2016-2025 – key product mix and trends and sector development.

Supply and Distribution

  • Merchants’ customers – builders, plumbing & heating contractors, M&E contractors, consumers, the public sector.
  • Leading distribution competitors– DIY/home improvement multiples, specialist trade distributors, direct supply and online retailers.

The Builders Merchants Market Report – UK 2021-2025 is available now and can be ordered here.

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