INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW 

AMA Research have published the 3^rd edition of ‘Building & Home Improvement Products Distribution Market - UK 2007’ report.  This report provides a unique review of the overall building products sector, reviewing the distribution structure in this rapidly evolving market, focusing on Builders Merchants, DIY Multiples and Independent Hardware channels.

Product Sectors reviewed include:-

• DECORATING

• BATHROOMS

• GARDEN / LEISURE

• HARDWARE / TOOLS etc.

• ADHESIVES / SEALANTS

• KITCHENS

• ELECTRICAL / LIGHTING

• HEATING / PLUMBING / DRAINAGE

• ROOFING / INSULATION

• BRICKS / BLOCKS / CONCRETE

• TIMBER / GLAZING

The market value and distribution of these products are influenced by many factors – new build / RMI, DIY / professional installation, domestic / non-domestic applications and economic influences, with substantial differences across the product sectors.  The report reviews market and distribution trends and provides a unique and comprehensive review of this £40+ billion market. 

Areas of particular interest include:-

• The building and home improvement market has experienced modest growth in 2006, despite good construction output in the non-housing sector and RMI output in the public sector.

• The best performing sectors have been garden products and shower products, which have gained some share. However, growth in all sectors of the market has been lower in 2006 than in previous years.

• The share taken by merchants in the distribution of building products has been fairly static in recent years, owing to intense competition from other channels such as the DIY multiples.

• While the DIY multiples have continued to take share from smaller retailers and other channels, it has been at a slightly slower rate than previously witnessed.

Key areas covered in the report:-

Building and home improvement products market

• Total market size 2000-2010.

• Key market trends and influences impacting on the overall market.

• Mix of 7 key product sectors by value in 2006.

• Review of changes in share between sectors 1999-2010.

UK Construction Industry

• UK construction output – Housing and non-housing activity by value.

• Non housing, new work and RMI construction activity by sector.

• Value of new UK Housing and RMI output 1999-2006.

DISTRIBUTION STRUCTURE

• Key trends in the distribution of building and home improvement products.

• Share by value of the major channels in the market in 2006.

• DIY Multiples market – Overall value, current trends and forecasts. Product mix, product share change 1991 and 2006, total DIY expenditure 1997-2006, number of outlets of the major UK DIY multiples and their market shares in 2005. Detailed information and product mix for each major DIY Multiple.

• Builders and Plumbers Merchants Market –Overall value, current trends and forecasts. Builders and plumbers’ market shares in 2006. Detailed information on the major national, regional and local merchants.

• Independent Hardware & DIY Stores – Key trends, leading retailer shares by value, company activity, leading wholesalers share by value.

Product review

• Value of the key products 2003-2007 and their relative importance in the overall market.

• Share taken by DIY Multiples, Merchants, Independents and others for each key product sector in 2006.

• Analysis and comment on market size and trends 2003-2007 on Decorative, Bathroom, Garden, Hardware, Electrical / Lighting, Kitchens, ‘Heavyside’ materials (bricks/blocks/concrete, cement/plaster, timber/glazing, heating/plumbing/drainage).

• Product mix in 2006 for Decorative, Bathroom, Garden, Hardware, Electrical/Lighting, Kitchens, Adhesives/Sealants, ‘Heavyside’ materials (bricks/blocks/concrete, cement/plaster, timber/glazing, heating/plumbing/drainage).

• Distribution shares and trends for Decorative, Bathroom, Garden, Hardware, Electrical/Lighting, Kitchens, ‘Heavyside’ materials (bricks/blocks/concrete, cement/plaster, timber/glazing, heating/plumbing/drainage).

FUTURE PROSPECTS

• Value of the key products 2003-2007 and their relative importance in the overall market.

• Share taken by DIY Multiples, Merchants, Independents and others for each key product sector in 2006.

• Analysis and comment on market size and trends 2003-2007 on Decorative, Bathroom, Garden, Hardware, Electrical / Lighting, Kitchens, ‘Heavyside’ materials (bricks/blocks/concrete, cement/plaster, timber/glazing, heating/plumbing/drainage).

• Product mix in 2006 for Decorative, Bathroom, Garden, Hardware, Electrical/Lighting, Kitchens, Adhesives/Sealants, ‘Heavyside’ materials (bricks/blocks/concrete, cement/plaster, timber/glazing, heating/plumbing/drainage).

• Distribution shares and trends for Decorative, Bathroom, Garden, Hardware, Electrical/Lighting, Kitchens, ‘Heavyside’ materials (bricks/blocks/concrete, cement/plaster, timber/glazing, heating/plumbing/drainage).