Providing a detailed snapshot of trading performance across the sector, figures published by the Builders Merchants Federation in the latest Plumbing and Heating Merchants Index (PHMI) confirm a continued decline in sales volumes in the second quarter of the year.
Year on Year: Quarter 2 2026 v Quarter 2 2025
Comparing the second quarter’s performance with the same period in the previous year shows that total value sales in Q2 2026 were marginally lower at -0.2 % than in Q2 2025. However, the fall in sales volumes was masked by an increase in prices.
Volume sales fell by -7.8% year-on-year, while prices rose by +8.2%.
Quarter on Quarter: Quarter 2 2026 v Quarter 1 2026
Comparing Q2 2026 with the first quarter of the year, like-for-like value sales in Q1 2026 (adjusted to remove the impact of trading day differences) decreased by -9.2% against the previous quarter, with volume sales -6.7% lower in the latest quarter.
With two fewer trading days in Q2 2026, unadjusted value sales for the Total Plumbing & Heating Merchants market were -12.0% lower than Q1 2026 with volume sales -9.6% lower and prices down by -2.7%.
Moving Annual Total: July 2025 to June 2026 v July 2024 to June 2025
With no difference in trading days, like-for-like value sales were +0.8% higher in the latest 12-month period to June 2026 compared with the previous 12-month period. However, like-for-like volume sales fell by -4.4%, while prices increased by +5.4%.
Main image (top): PHMI Q2 2026 Highlights Infographic – Like-for-like value sales
The data for the PHMI is taken solely from P&H specialists including City Plumbing Supplies, James Hargreaves Plumbing Depot, Plumbfix, PTS, Williams & Co and Wolseley, who form part of NiQ GfK’s Plumbing & Heating Merchants Panel. There is no overlap or double counting between the PHMI and the BMF’s established Builders Merchants Building Index which analyses sales at generalist merchants.
Related news:
BMBI shows Q2 merchant sales down -1.2% year-on-year as prices rise and volumes fall
