Despite a dip on September’s sales, the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) reports total value sales in October 2021 were up year-on-year.

Total value sales were 11.1% higher in October 2021, compared to the same month in 2020, despite one less trading day this year.

Timber & Joinery Products continued to top the list with a growth of 28.3% but Kitchens & Bathrooms sales also increased by 4.7% and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical by 4.0%.

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Like-for-like sales, which take trading day differences into account, were up 16.4% year-on-year.

It follows on from kitchens and bathroom reaching its highest ever BMBI sales in Q3 2021.

Compared to October 2019, a pre-pandemic year, total merchant value sales were up 11.3% this October 2021, with two less trading days.

Four categories sold more, with overall growth driven primarily by the strength of Timber & Joinery Products, which was up 34.7% and Landscaping with an increase of 27.6%.

However, Kitchens & Bathrooms sales were slightly down on October 2019, with a decrease of 2.1%.

Total value sales in the three months August to October 2021 were up 16.1% on the same period in 2020.

Out of 12 categories, 11 sold more including Timber & Joinery Products up 38.9%, Kitchens & Bathrooms which had grown by 9.2% and an increase in Plumbing Heating & Electrical of 9.1%.

But compared to September 2021, total merchant value sales were down 5.1% in October 2021, with one less trading day in October. Kitchens & Bathrooms sales were down -4.7% over the period.

October’s BMBI index was 140.4. All bar one category recorded indices above 100, including Kitchens & Bathrooms at 124.9.