Builders’ merchants achieve sales increase

The German builders’ merchants achieved a sales increase of 2.9 per cent in 2010. A quick snap poll among the 883 member companies of the Berlin-based BDB (Bundesverband Deutscher Baustoff-Fachhandel e. V., a German association of builders’ merchants) reveals that business developed very differently in the various regions. The early onset of winter resulted in the postponement of definitely scheduled projects to 2011. For the first half of 2011 43.4 per cent of the builders’ merchants expect sales to rise slightly, while 40 per cent foresee no change. Eight out of ten member firms assess the continuing performance of their company as satisfactory or good.