A trading update to the City today showed trade sales leading the way as consumer sales remained flat.
Geoff Cooper, Chief Executive, said: “Whilst still early in the recovery of our markets, the stronger trading conditions experienced by our merchanting businesses in particular is a reassuring indicator of improved sentiment in construction.
“The recovery in activity, signalled by us in early 2013, looks set to continue into 2014 as owners’ and occupiers’ construction and maintenance activity increases from the very low levels encountered over the last five years.
“The Group is well positioned, as the leading supplier of building materials in the UK, to take advantage of this recovery.”