Travis Perkins reports a 1.6% revenue drop as builder merchant volumes collapse amid UK construction slump

Builders' merchant giant Travis Perkins has reported a 1.6% revenue fall for the three months to 30 September 2026, with like-for-like volumes in its core merchant arm plunging 9.0% as new-build housing activity remains severely depressed across the UK. The group said the decline matched its first-half performance, with higher prices only partially cushioning the drop. Shares fell 2.5% to around 579p on the news. Toolstation UK bucked the trend with growth, though its Benelux operation shrank.

Travis Perkins blamed 'persisting' economic uncertainty and subdued UK construction, with new-build housing cited as the weakest area.

Toolstation UK was the sole bright spot, though network changes added a further drag of 0.3 percentage points to the overall revenue decline.