The Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) has reported reveal a sharp rise in kitchen and bathroom sales, in May, as lockdown restrictions eased and trades returned to work.

Total builders merchants value sales to builders and contractors in May were down -39.9% compared with May 2019, reflecting the cautious reopening of merchant branches with many still operating a restricted service.

However, the overall trading figures are a significant improvement on April 2020 sales (-76.3%).

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All categories sold less, with Tools (-66.1%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (-62.7%) hit hardest by the pandemic lockdown.

The biggest winner in May was Landscaping, with sales of this seasonal category down just -12.5% on May 2019.

This is a remarkable recovery from April 2020, when sales were down a massive -74.4% on April 2019.

With April sales at unprecedented levels, May’s partial recovery resulted in some highly unusual, month-on-month growth figures.

Total merchant value sales were 171.3% above April 2020, with one less trading day this month.

Five categories did better, led by Tools (+308%) and Landscaping (+278.9%).

Kitchens & Bathrooms was up by 210.7%, followed by Timber & Joinery products at +199.5% and Decorating at +177.0%.

Year-to-date sales in the first five months of 2020 were 29.2% down on January to May 2019, with one less trading day this year.

Workwear & Safetywear (-2.7%) did best, boosted by strong demand for protective equipment.

The three weakest categories were Tools (-40.4%), Kitchens & Bathrooms (-33.2%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-31.3%).

May’s BMBI index was 78.7, with all categories well down. The index for Kitchens & Bathrooms was 43.7.