According to The UK Plumbing Products Market Development report, published by Market & Business Development, the market declined by 1% to £4,382.5 million in 2008. This decline is expected to continue this year and into 2010, reflecting the downturn in the UK economy.
However, moderate annual increases of between 2% and 4% are expected in the latter part of the forecast period, which extends from 2009 to 2013. An overall real-term increase of 4% is projected between 2008 and 2013.
Sales of plumbing products in the domestic central heating sector are expected to decline by 5% in 2009, and by a further 1% in 2010. However, annual increases are expected between 2011 and 2013, taking the value of the sector to £1,541.2 million.
The demand for bathroom/sanitaryware is believed to be generated by a relatively new social trend towards having more than one bathroom, and the increasing popularity of the DIY sector. Between 2008 and 2013, sales are projected to increase by a cumulative 11% in real terms to £1,531.9 million (at 2008 prices) in 2013. Furthermore, the proportional importance of this sector is anticipated to increase to 34% by 2013.
By 2013, sales of tubes, pipes and fittings are projected to reach £770.1 million (at 2008 prices). This represents overall real-term growth of 6% compared with 2008.