The building materials trade saw a 3.5 percent increase in turnover during the third quarter compared to the same period last year, according to Byggmaterialhandlarna and Prognoscentret. However, volume decreased by 0.8 percent. Growth was primarily driven by the B2B segment, which rose by 4.8 percent in current prices. B2C sales saw only a slight increase.
"We observe that pure do-it-yourself sales are developing somewhat weaker than B2B, but it should be noted that households are often the orderers through the contractor channel. Looking at statistics for ROT tax deductions, the increase is relatively clear, indicating an overall stronger trend in consumer-initiated projects," says Patric Lindqvist, Senior Analyst at Prognoscentret.
The forecast for the Building Materials Index has been revised downward again, from 4.0 to 1.5 percent in constant prices for 2025. A gradual recovery is expected in 2026, with growth predicted at 3.5 percent. The forecast was also lowered after the second quarter.
It is clear that households are generally holding onto their wallets, despite interest rate cuts and budgetary stimuli. After years of economic uncertainty, security and saving are being prioritized over renovations and home investments. For the building materials trade, this means that recovery is coming, albeit more slowly than desired, concludes Monica Björk, CEO of Byggmaterialhandlarna.
