Total builders鈥� merchant sales in February 2020 were down 1.3% compared with February 2019. 聽This followed a 2.6% year-on-year decline in January 2020.
However, February sales were 2.2% higher than they had been in the previous month, despite having two fewer trading days.
February pre-dated the introduction of social distancing (which started on 19th March) and the lockdown (which took effect on 24th March), hence merchants鈥� February trading will not have been much affected by the emerging coronavirus pandemic.
Year-on year in February, three categories were weaker: Timber & Joinery Products (-6.9%); Tools (-4.0%) and Heavy Building Materials (-1.9%). Among the seven categories that sold more this year, Workwear & Safetywear showed strong growth (+30.8%) driven by higher demand for protective equipment (including masks, goggles and gloves). Landscaping sold 7.4% more and Kitchens & Bathrooms grew by 3.5%.
Comparing February with January, eight categories sold more, led by Landscaping (+16.5%) 鈥� despite it being the wettest February on record. Kitchens & Bathrooms (+7.8%) and Workwear & Safetywear (+6.8%) also did well. Four categories sold less, including Timber & Joinery Products (-2.2%) and Plumbing Heating & Electrical (-1.5%). Average sales a day (which takes trading day differences into account) were 12.4% higher than in January and all categories increased.
Sales in the three months December 2019 to February 2020 were 1.2% lower than in the same period a year earlier. Nine categories did better, including Workwear & Safetywear (+14.1%) and Landscaping (+5.3%). However Timber & Joinery Products (-6.0%) and Tools (-4.8%) were weaker.
The 12 months March 2019 to February 2020 were down 0.9% on the same period a year earlier, with one less trading day. Average sales a day in the last 12 months were down 0.5%.
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