Comfort and well-being driving factors for the UK pet accessories market

Highly fragmented and competitive, the UK Pet Accessories Market was estimated to be worth around £850m at retail selling prices in 2016. The market covers a wide range of product groups including care products, toys, housing, bedding & feeding products, collars, leads and utility products. The maturity and competitive nature of the market and the uncertainty of the political and economic situation means that growth in 2017 is forecast at around 2%.

The market for pet accessories is generally considered to be relatively resilient to economic slowdowns, and has generally experienced flat to marginal growth levels over recent years - although there have been varying performances by different sectors. Imports play a significant part for many sectors of the pet accessories market and changes to Sterling exchange rates over the last 12 months has resulted in increasing price competition. However, growing demand for premium products has helped to underpin many sectors.

The increasing trend for pet humanisation – e.g. owners reflecting their own needs and wants onto their pets – is adding value to the market, with pet owners increasingly prepared to pay more for their pet accessories. In addition, the replacement cycle for some products has reduced as many owners increasingly seek to keep up with design and fashion trends. Ownership levels of smaller dog breeds has grown in recent years which has resulted in increased demand for specifically targeted products such as coats, grooming products and fashion accessories.

A steady demand for essential pet care products is helping to underpin the market, including rising demand for flea and worm treatments. The latter has benefited from a combination of wide distribution, increased awareness of the importance of preventative care and recent weather conditions that have boosted flea numbers. Cat litter is a sector that has become polarised between the low volume but high value, premium quality products and the high volume, value for money products. Product development in recent years has also helped to boost the market with the introduction of innovative products that focus on odour control, absorbency and the use of eco-friendly & biodegradable materials.

Toys are forecast to remain a key product sector and will benefit from continued product innovation and gift purchases. The rapidly growing interest in interactive and multi-functional toys is expected to continue. Another growth area appears to be in pet ‘technology’ products, including for example automatic feeders, toys, pet monitors and pet GPS trackers. The functionality and range of such products are also likely to increase in the short-medium term.

In terms of distribution, the pet superstore channel has continued to grow, with the number of outlets, choice and product range in these stores helping to stimulate demand and growth. In addition, the discount retail sector is also taking share, particularly for toys and some own-brand bedding and cat litter products. In addition, online distribution is also increasing in importance as a channel in its own right. The trend among pet stores to offer ever wider ranges of products and services, including grooming, veterinary care, boarding and breeding is likely to continue.

The mature nature of the market means that it is unlikely that pet accessories will show significant growth in the medium-term due to the highly price competitive nature of the market. The development of the economy remains uncertain at this stage following the Brexit vote, and this could have an impact on consumer spending, particularly on non-essentials.

Reflecting the resilient nature of this market, steady but modest annual growth rates of around 2-3% are currently forecast between 2018 and 2021. Care and maintenance products are forecast to continue to underpin the market as they are generally considered to be essential and represent the largest product sector, while the cat litter sector should continue to benefit from sales of more innovative products. Other factors expected to help underpin this market into the medium-term include product innovation focused on convenience, eco-friendliness and aesthetics. In addition, replacement cycles for some products are likely to decrease as owners seek to ensure that the comfort and happiness of their pets is maintained.

The ‘Pet Accessories Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets. The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

Prospects for the UK Builders and Plumbers Merchants market cautiously optimistic

It is estimated that the UK builders and plumbers merchants' market will see growth of 2% in 2017, compared with 2016, in value terms. The end use sectors of the merchants' market have fared differently reflecting each sectors' construction performance. However, most end-use sectors have experienced growth since 2013 stimulating demand for merchants' products, with key sectors including housebuilding, offices, infrastructure, industrial and education.

The merchants remain an important distribution channel in the overall construction market. However, the merchants' market has undergone some significant structural changes, with many national operations consolidating and restructuring to streamline and enhance multi-channel offerings, and the regional sector has expanded branch networks. The market is currently dominated by a group of 5 organisations, that together account for an estimated 75% share of the market, by value.

Builders and plumbers merchants offer an extensive range of products, although traditional building materials dominate the product mix. Competition from other channels, particularly the internet and home improvement multiples, continues to impact on the market. However, merchants appear to have outperformed home improvement multiples in recent years and their expansion into e-commerce has offset some of the movement towards internet-only distributors.

The role played by buying groups continues to be important, particularly for regional and local merchants, as considerable benefits can be derived by membership. This sector has also undergone changes with some of the leading organisations merging in recent years.

Prospects for the merchants' market remain optimistic, although cautious, with confidence in the continued recovery of the UK economy positive but tempered by the uncertainty of the outcome of Brexit negotiations. Drivers in the residential sector include under-investment in the housing stock in terms of new build requirements and the age of the current dwellings, which has stimulated expenditure on RMI activity, and the continued confidence in the new housebuilding sector in terms of starts, forward reservations, completions and average prices.

The cost of fuel and energy as well as the volatility of the exchange rate of Sterling against both the US Dollar and the Euro are also likely to drive up prices, causing the market value to increase. Growth in the builders and plumber merchants market is likely to be moderate over the next 3-4 years, with growth rates of 2-3% per year forecast until 2021.

New opportunities may arise from the demand for greater sustainability in construction materials and materials with a low-carbon footprint. Investment in online and mobile websites - in terms of improvements to product offering, availability and ordering process, as well as overall customer service - may also contribute towards growth. It is likely that those companies that embrace online selling and service will see higher growth than those that stick with a more traditional approach.

The ‘Builders and Plumbers Merchants Report UK – 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets.  The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

Health and Safety Products Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis - 5 Key Facts

1. The health and safety products market is forecast to grow 4% in 2017.
2. Personal protective equipment (PPE) dominates the health and safety products market, accounting for a value share of around 42% in 2016.
3. The leading distribution channels are industrial distributors and health & safety specialists, which together account for an estimated 56% share of the distribution mix.
4. Hygiene products account for an estimated 40% share of the market.
5. The market is becoming increasingly competitive, not only as the result of a rise in the number of suppliers, but also because of the range and variety of outlets offering health and safety products

These facts have been extracted from AMA Research's 'Health and Safety Products Market Report - UK 2017-2021' available for purchase now.

Public Sector (Non-Residential) Construction Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis - 5 Key Facts

1. The largest single areas of public spending are in the departments of Work & Pensions (23%), NHS (Health) (19%) and Education (9%).
2. In 2016-17, the level of public sector capital expenditure accounts for just under 7% of total government expenditure. However, this percentage is expected to rise to around 8% of total government expenditure by 2020-21.
3. The public sector accounts for around 17% of total non-residential new construction output.
4. In terms of the construction supply chain, the value of new public sector work won by the top 21 largest contractors was around £3.8bn.
5. Going forward, public sector construction is forecast to grow by around 1.5-2% per annum to 2021.

These facts have been extracted from AMA Research's 'Public Sector (Non-Residential) Construction Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis' available for purchase now.

Domestic Garden Leisure Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis - 5 Key Facts

·                Subject to the influence of British summer weather, the UK garden leisure market has remained positive in recent years with overall growth of 37% between 2012 and 2016.

·                Garden furniture accounted for the largest sector in 2016 at around 60% in value terms with metal and wood based furniture accounting for combined value share of around 76% in 2016.

·                The barbecue sector has benefitted from a general upward movement in average prices in recent years, as well as increased focus on outdoor entertainment, resulting in 51% overall value growth between 2012 and 2016.

·                The internet has become an increasingly important channel for garden leisure purchases in recent years with many garden e-tailers now offering large ranges of garden furniture, barbecues and accessories.

·                Garden leisure is currently forecast to remain relatively buoyant into the medium-term with overall growth of 19% currently forecast between 2016 and 2021.

These facts have been extracted from AMA Research's report 'Domestic Garden Leisure Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis', available from www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724. 

Event Equipment Hire Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis - 5 Key Facts

• The UK event equipment hire market was estimated to be worth around £585m in 2016.
• The market has benefited from a growing interest in events, particularly outdoor events, and was significantly boosted in 2012 by the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Exhibitions and trade shows account for the largest share of the events market, holding an estimated 55-60% share of the market.
• The event equipment market is forecast to grow gradually to reach an estimated market size of around £660-£680m in 2021.
• The market has been restricted by its highly competitive nature that has tended to restrict price increases.

These facts have been extracted from AMA Research's report 'Event Equipment Hire Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis', available from www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724. 

Waste Management Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis - 5 Key Facts

• By value, the market for controlled waste management is estimated at just under £10bn in 2016.

• EfW, landfill and other non-hazardous waste treatment & disposal services are estimated to account for up to 45% of industry revenues.

• It is estimated the largest overall revenue stream for waste management contractors is the non-municipal sector.   

• The top 5 companies represent over 40% of the turnover in the industry.

• Almost 50% of CIW is recovered for recycling, with the retail & wholesale industry accounting for around 25% of the total.

These facts have been extracted from AMA Research's report 'Waste Management Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis', available from www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724. 

The UK roofing market sees growth of 7% in 2016

The overall UK roofing market has grown by 7% in value terms in 2016, according to a new report by AMA Research. Since 2012, demand for roof coverings has been supported by the growth of housebuilding and domestic RMI, along with increased output in a number of commercial and industrial new build & refurbishment markets. However, tendering for commercial and housebuilding roofing projects has remained highly competitive, and year on year performance has varied.

Overall market trends are largely determined by levels of demand for concrete roof tiles and metal panel systems, which together accounted for around half of total sales in 2016. While concrete tiles are predominantly used on commercial buildings, the main source of increasing demand has been volume housebuilding. Demand for roof tiles and slates is relatively lower within the commercial and industrial newbuild & major re-roofing and RMI sectors, with flat roofing and metal roofing systems being used to an increasing extent.

Distribution of roofing materials varies significantly between different product sectors. Builders’ merchants and roofing merchants are the key routes to market for suppliers of concrete and clay tiles, while independent importers and distribution networks are the main channels in the roofing slates sector, as the majority of products are imported. With flat roofing systems mainly used on commercial buildings, the main channels are roofing merchants and direct sales, while direct supply from the manufacturer is the main route to market for profiled metal roofing projects, which often require bespoke design, structures and close collaborations with manufacturers.

Several factors are threatening the construction market, and are likely to have a knock-on effect for the roofing market. Uncertainty following Brexit and the general election result appears to be undermining confidence within the UK construction industry at present, with Q2 2017 state of trade data from the Construction Products Association and ONS new orders and output statistics, suggesting major investors are starting to hold off from funding major commercial and industrial construction projects. Since 2015, an acceleration in the shortage of skilled roofers, which is likely to be exacerbated by the Brexit issue and a potential reduction of EU workers, has resulted in a demand for higher wages and contributed towards an overall reduction in margins.

However, there are also a number of positive factors supporting the UK’s roofing market. A significant share of roofing materials goes into RMI and replacement projects, which support the market even during difficult economic times. The markets for EPDM and other types of single ply membranes (SPMs) have grown strongly over the last half dozen years, also taking some share from bitumen sheets within the commercial sector.

Keith Taylor, Director at AMA research, said: “The housebuilding market remains very positive in the sense that demand levels are high, and the Government has indicated that it wants to support the affordable sector with various schemes, something which should have a positive impact on the roofing sector. In addition, a large part of the roofing sector is driven by repair and maintenance and as such the market value has good support, even if the wider construction market turns more negative.”

Bearing these factors in mind, we forecast a stabilisation in demand for roofing products through to 2021, with more positive market growth in the latter part of the forecast period, reflecting some improvement in confidence and the economy as the impact of the EU exit settles down. As such the overall market is forecast grow by a very modest 4% between 2016 and 2021.

The ‘Roofing Market Report UK – 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets.  The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

Home Automation Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis - 5 Key Facts

• The Home Automation market is currently considered to be in the initial growth stage, with market value forecast to increase by 55% between 2017 and 2021. 

• Smart heating controls and linked devices account for 36% of the market. This has increased significantly in recent years. 

• The forecast growth of “the Internet of Things” –IoT- (‘smart’ household gadgets) is likely to result in increased connectivity within home networks.  

• The evolution of voice control devices is likely to drive more interest in home automation. 

• The market is highly fragmented with 10 suppliers accounting for around 50% of the market.

These facts have been extracted from AMA Research's report Home Automation Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis', available from www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724. 

Over 5% of UK homes now have a wetroom installation

The value of the wetroom market has increased by 10% between 2014-2016, according to a report by AMA Research. The sector offers significant growth potential within the UK bathroom market, with demand for wetrooms having increased significantly in recent years. Growth was particularly strong in 2015, with more modest rates in 2016/17 of around 3% per annum. Moderate growth is currently forecast to 2021, when the market is expected to have increased by 18% compared to the market size in 2017.

Demand for wetrooms has increased significantly in recent years as the showering area has become an essential part of bathroom design, with householders increasingly choosing to shower rather than bathe. Key market drivers in 2014/15 included increasing levels of new housebuilding, particularly the retirement/care sector, where wetrooms are more common. In 2016 and H1 2017, the wetroom market experienced modest growth, largely a result of the political and economic uncertainty in the UK at present.

The floor formers and level access trays sector dominates the wetroom market in terms of value, followed by waterproof tanking kits, glass wetroom panels and drainage products. While traditional shower trays and enclosures have lost some market share, the 25mm level access shower tray that can be set flush into the wetroom floor is in greater demand and often used as an alternative to the wetroom floor former. Glass frameless wetroom panels have also seen good growth, and can be used to ‘zone’ the wetroom, creating a wet and dry area.

Recent product developments include pre-moulded wetroom floor formers with a built-in gradient and membrane waterproof tanking systems, which are easier to install and provide greater installation accuracy, saving a significant amount of installation time. Developments in the drainage products sector include wall mounted and linear drains for a seamless finish and digital drainage pumps that operate wirelessly when the shower is turned on.

One of the key reasons that wetrooms have become more appealing is their versatility, which can be attributed to product innovations and improvements. It is now possible for wetrooms to be installed in any room of the house and on most types of floor. Prices have also fallen, making wetrooms a more affordable choice to the mainstream consumer.

Going forward, demand will also be supported by the emerging trend towards multi-generational households. These properties would need to be adapted inclusively to suit the needs of all family members living at home, and the accessibility of wetrooms compared to traditional bathrooms for elderly and disabled consumers represents a key driver of growth. Wetrooms is one of the most popular bathroom adaptations paid for by a Disabled Facility Grant (DFG), which is set to double over the next 2-3 years.

New housebuilding volumes are set to stabilise despite the uncertainty currently surrounding the UK’s exit from the EU and the 2017 General Election. Prospects remain positive in this sector and will support demand for wetroom products installed in new housing, including self-build housing. Wetrooms also represent a popular method of designing easy access and space efficient showering areas in commercial buildings including hotels, leisure facilities, specialised housing, care homes and hospitals, while the use of prefabricated wetroom PODs is also expected to increase.

The ‘Wetroom Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets. The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.