The Builders Merchants Federation’s Summer Forecast reveals a slight upward adjustment to 2.5% in the baseline forecast for sales of building materials in 2025, due to marginally better-than-expected growth rates in the first half of the year. However, the forecast for 2026 remains unchanged from the BMF’s Spring Forecast at 3.1%, although lower and upper forecast scenarios are also provided due to continued economic uncertainty. When consumers and businesses feel optimistic about the economy, they are more likely to spend and invest, fuelling growth and job creation. Economic uncertainty dampens confidence and holds back growth, and we have been in this cycle for some time. Looking ahead to 2026, our forecasted baseline year-on-year growth rate of 3.1% is tempered by lower and upper forecast scenarios of 1.2% and 3.7%.”Got a story?