SUMMARY OF REPORT CONTENTS

Research has published a 4^th edition review if the highly successful ‘UK Building and Home Improvement Products Distribution’ report.  Available to purchase for £625, this report reviews the UK construction and home improvement market and all associated products, including 10 key product sectors: Bricks/Blocks/Concrete, Timber/Glazing, Heating/Plumbing/Drainage, Roofing/Insulation, Electrical/Lighting, Hardware/Tools/Fixings, Decorating, Bathrooms and Kitchens.
 

The report provides a clear analysis of the majors trends in the distribution of building and home improvement products and an estimate of the share taken by the main distribution channels in each key product sector.  Also included are the profiles of the main builders merchants, DIY multiples, and independent hardware and DIY stores, with their respective market share.

The building and home improvement products market was estimated to be worth over £41.5 billion in 2006. The research found that growth in all sectors of the market has been lower in 2006 than in previous years, growing by less than 1% on 2005. Some sectors have only experienced a slight slowdown, such as decorating, bathroom, garden and lighting, whilst others, including hardware and heavyside (bricks/blocks/concrete, timber/glazing, heating/plumbing/drainage, roofing), have declined more significantly. 

The level of activity in the construction industry is the most significant influencer of the overall building and home improvement products market. Government investment in health and education has been an important growth engine for both the new build and RMI sectors. However, new house-building levels have remained surprisingly low in recent years and the private sector of the RMI market has also experienced a slowdown in growth.  The building and home improvement products market has also been affected by intense price competition over the last year or so.

In terms of distribution, the Builders and Plumbers Merchants remain the most dominant channel in the overall market, with an estimated share of around 27% in 2006.  This share has been fairly static in recent years, as merchants have faced increasing competition from other channels.

The DIY Multiples have been increasing their activity in almost all areas of the UK building and home improvement products market since 1991 and are currently estimated to generate around 17% of the total market value.  Although the multiples have continued to take share from smaller retailers and other channels over the last three years, it has been at a slightly slower rate than previously witnessed.

AMA’s report also provides an insight into future prospects for the building and home improvement products market, and states that although the market is not likely to experienced significant growth in 2007/08, it should progressively recover.  A number of factors are likely to have a positive impact on the market, including the government’s sustained investment in health, education and infrastructure, as well as higher growth in the new build and house moving sectors.

AMA Research’s “Building and Home Improvement Products Distribution – UK 2007” report is available in hard copy or electronic format for £625 and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 0871 3103450.
 

List of Companies Mentioned

B & Q, Homebase, Focus Group, Leekes, Trago Mills, Budget DIY, Glyn Web, Taskers, Chaplins, Decora, Godfrey DIY, Arnold Laver DIY, Wickes, Meter International plc, Harcros, Jewson, Wolseley plc, Nationwide Refrigeration Supplies, JT Atkinson, RK Timber, Instalrite Plastics, Hall & Co, British Fittings, Travis Perkins, Studlands Timber & Building Merchants, Capco Merchants, Allied Builders Merchants, Baseline Building Supplies, Lemford Building Supplies, Keyline Building Supplies, Sharpe & Fisher, BSS Group plc, Grafton Group Plc, Mcnaughton Blair, Lowdens, Buildbase, EJ Thompson & Co, Essex Heating Supplies, Norman Rhead, BSG Builders Merchants, WT Burden Ltd, WTB Group, Jackson Building Centres, Houldens of Stamford, AGS Heating Equipment, William Wilson & Co (Aberdeen) Ltd, Ridgeons Ltd, C Brewer & Sons Ltd, E H Smith, Westhaven Investment Trust, City Plumbing Supplies plc, Bradford Building Supplies, Jayhard, Gibbs & Dandy plc, JS Millington, David Cover,  Crosslings, MKM Building Supplies, John Flemming & Co Ltd, J & G Archibald, Robert Price, Alsford Timber, George Kingsbury Holdings, Walter Tipper, Sydenhams, Rawle Gammon & Baker, JT Dove, BMB Builders Merchants, Nayor-Myers, AW Champion, Kent Biaxhill & Co, Wilkinsons, Robert Dyas, Mica, Godfrey DIY, Makro, Toolbank, BDC, Stax, Draper Tools, SJ Dixon, Bromsborough, McDougall Rose, Buck and Hickman, Collin & Son Spread Garden Supplies.