MERCHANT BUILDE RS
Top 20 countdown — 2026: PBM presents its annual listing of the UK’s largest merchant businesses, based on turnover performance over the last year
declared / estimated
Data from UK merchant operations only, where possible If full
figures were not available, the most recent information has been used, as noted
/
Heavyside figures include timber (where applicable) Lightside figures include showrooms, tools, hire services and electrical (where
e = PBM estimate on turnover / branches
Source: Figures are compiled via information supplied by a merchant company, latest published account data and PBM estimates Every effort is made to ensure the data presented is accurate, but PBM cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions.
INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS
Note: not to scale
Top 20 merchants — 2026
2026 Top
20: Behind the numbers of the UK merchant sector ’s largest businesses in 2025.
It has been another challenging year for merchants, with the collapse of National Timber Group the most visible sign of the pressures facing the sector Rising operating costs and squeezed margins were common refrains, alongside efforts to counter inflated material prices Yet merchant businesses continue to adapt investing in people, systems and branch upgrades; reshaping organisational and operational structures, often under new leaders; expanding sustainability offers and, of course, continuing the digital evolution
Travis Perkins plc once again sits top of the list, with its figures covering its general merchanting arm plus Toolstation and its ‘specialist merchant’ businesses of BSS, CCF, Keyline and TF Solutions, which now sit together within a recently established operating structure At the turn of the year, Gavin Slark officially joined the Board as Group CEO
In second, Stark Building Materials UK reports “strong progress in its turnaround plan” through the continued rollout of its ‘Branch of the Future’ concept While its new or fully revamped sites look hugely impressive, the deeper strategy involves building a stronger, more efficient network by “consolidating loss-making and sub-scale branches into larger ones, while closing and divesting others to free up capital for platform transformation ”
On a like-for-like basis, the business says it “delivered market share gains, higher Net Promoter Scores, net sales growth and improved profitability in its second turnaround year ”
“Designed to support heating professionals thrive in the fast-changing
renewables market,” Wolseley UK launched Renewables Centre as a partner brand for Plumb Centre that “combines accredited training, MCS-certified design, installation support, and access to high-quality renewable products, all in one place ” Two specialist fulfilment centres the “transformation” of its existing distribution hub in Measham plus a new location in Darlington have been opened in support, whilst the firm also announced “ a refreshed UK operating structure to better meet the needs of its customers across its core markets ”
In 2025, Highbourne Group created a network of solar hubs across England and Scotland through City Plumbing branches and launched ElecStore, encompassing 35 dedicated electrical trade counters across the UK The network also reported further investment in its Bathroom Showroom brand
Huws Gray, meanwhile, unveiled its “refreshed visual identity” across its branch network, digital platforms, vehicles and in a very smart sponsorship opportunity also appears prominently on match officials’ kits across the Premier League and EFL An “extensive upgrade” of its Grangemouth Timber depot was completed in addition to acquiring the former NTG site in Ayr
New branches in Bangor, Bridgend, Cheltenham, Plymouth and Wolverhampton were on the agenda for MKM last year and the firm has already opened a further seven sites in 2026 so far UK Plumbing Supplies maintains seventh place on our countdown, followed by Grafton Group plc which noted that “targeted commercial
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actions, including securing enhanced supplier support and, for example, introducing delivery charges in Selco, more than offset significant cost pressures, particularly those arising from higher labour and property related expenses ”
Towards the end of the year, Selco “initiated headline price cuts across 357 of its most frequently purchased building materials to improve its value proposition” whilst Grafton’s Leyland SDM brand opened its 36th store in December
After a testing year, IBMG retains ninth place Approved in July, substantial restructuring plans alongside the closure or sale of around 30 branches are said to have “recapitalised the Group, materially strengthened the balance sheet and delivered a significant reduction in financial indebtedness ” Under the proposals, senior lenders Ares and Farallon became the new shareholders, taking control from Cairngorm Capital In January 2026, Matthew Parker was confirmed as the new CEO
Rounding off the Top 10, Lords Group Trading acquired “online builders’ merchant” CMO in June 2025 with new branches opened in Aylesford, Bicester & Mansfield 2026 will see it maintain its ongoing strategy of organic growth and appropriate M&A, along with looking to “control the controllables margin, costs and working capital ”
We are extremely grateful for the support of the sector in compiling this industry barometer More details on the full ‘Top 20’ (and those that narrowly missed the cut ) are available on our website www professionalbuildersmerchant co uk
Real-world insight into stock management, warehousing and fulfilment performance, order-to-cash, pricing and rebates, technology investment priorities, and more Download the full
