INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW 

AMA Research have published the 7th edition of the "Builders & Plumbers Merchants Market - UK 2003" - incorporating original input and primary research, it represents an informed and up to date review of the market and with over 140 pages is excellent value for money.

This market remains a significant distribution channel for a wide range of products and is fundamental to the building industry, yet has been under pressure from other competitive channels and the cyclical nature of the building market.

The report contains:-

• A DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF THIS £10+ BILLION MARKET - with a review of recent trends, current and future developments - with long term forecasts.

• CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS - Merchants buying practices, key characteristics. Opportunities and threats - key competitive issues.

• SPECIFIC AND RELEVANT INFORMATION - collated using a wide range of sources - not simply a broad collection of government statistics.

• ANALYSIS BY PRODUCT GROUP:-

  • Roofing & Insulation Space & Water Heating

  • Bricks, Blocks, Concrete Decorating Materials

  • Cement & Plaster Kitchen Equipment & Tiles

  • Timber - Boards & Products Ironmongery, Adhesives, Fixings

  • Plumbing Materials Tool Hire, Doors/Windows etc

This report has been compiled by marketing professionals with a background in building products and answers the need for QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT - it is invaluable to any company currently interested in the Merchants market or considering entry into the sector.

Of particular interest:-

• Review of competitive channels of distribution and strengths and weaknesses of the Merchants.

• Analysis of the rate of consolidation within the industry over the decade.

• Assessment of Merchants share of each product sector.

• Buying process and the implications for new suppliers.

Key areas of coverage in the report include:-

THE MERCHANTS

• Major merchants, their turnovers, major characteristics, regional and product strengths, etc.

• Market shares of major merchants and the increasing industry concentration.

• Analysis of consolidation across the decade.

• The larger regional merchants - who they are, turnover, key products and characteristics.

• Structure of the local merchants - numbers, trends, general characteristics.

• Buying groups - their role and presence in the industry.

• Merchants profitability, indications of net & gross margins, debtor levels, stock coverage by product group, overall stock levels, etc.

• Buying processes of major/regional merchants and for buying groups.

• Implications of buying process for new suppliers eg barriers to entry, centralised and local buying systems.

• Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats to merchants.

• Competitive channels and their changing emphasis - DIY multiples, specialist distributors, high street channels etc.

• Overall merchant product mix.

THE MARKET

• The building products market infra-structure - suppliers, distributors, contractors, architects and users.

• The market size in value terms, 1996 to 2003 and forecast through to 2006.

• Market trends through the 1990's and trends in 2002/3. Opportunities and threats, trends for the future. Major factors influencing development.

• Regional variations in construction and merchant performance.

PRODUCTS/SUPPLIERS

• Market size per major product group.

• Product mix within major product groups.

• Product sectors, definition, merchants' strengths and weaknesses by product, key competitive channels per product.

• Key suppliers per product sector.

• Product trends by product group and by major product sector.

• Sales through merchants by main product group.

• Purchasing criteria of merchants - what they look for in their suppliers.

CUSTOMERS

• Merchants key customers. Nature and operation of the housebuilding market.

• Role of Housing Associations/Registered Social Landlords. Buying criteria of the small builders and plumbers.

FUTURE PROSPECTS / HOUSING / CONSTRUCTION

• New build, renovation, RMI, housing trends, population shifts, building and construction output and orders, and their implications for merchants.

• Future developments, implications for suppliers.

• Economic influences, growth prospects etc.

T

Key Product Sectors:-

The Report contains over 140 pages and 50 tables and charts of ORIGINAL research and comment on the UK Builders & Plumbers Merchants industry and provides incisive and thought provoking views on its future development.

Report Title	Price
Builders & Plumbers Merchants Market Report UK 2003	£625 (See Order Form For VAT Rate)
Please contact AMA Research for further details or to order a report