Sales of building materials were down by 16.7% during the fourth quarter (October to December) 2012, compared with the previous three-month period (July to September 2012), when adjusted for both inflation and trading day differences, according to the latest Sales Indicators from the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF).
In addition, the BMF's 12-month comparison was down by 0.3% over the previous 12 month period. However, fourth quarter 2012 sales showed a 2.1% increase over the same period in 2011.
Sales in Greater London were the weakest in the UK, with builders' merchants reporting a quarterly year on year reduction of -9.4%. Meanwhile, Wales (+9.4%) and Scotland (+8%) reported the strongest quarterly year on year results.
BMF secretary, Peter Matthews, said: 'Q4 is traditionally quieter than Q3 as the extended holiday break on many construction sites makes December a short working month, but the fall in sales is striking. The continuing weakness of sales of building materials in the Greater London area may be an indicator of concern, as this is one of the country's strongest economic areas.
He continued: 'At first glance the BMF figures are somewhat at odds with the ONS figures released earlier this month, showing a very slight (0.9%) rise in construction in Q4 over Q3. However the ONS also reports a 3.1% fall in output between October and November for the first time in three years.'
