UK Baths and Sanitaryware Market fell 20% in 2008 Says New Report

Oct. 6, 2009 - PRLog -- Report Buyer, the online destination for business intelligence for major industry sectors, has added a market report .

The report “Baths & Sanitaryware: Market Report 2009, Fourteenth Edition” available at http://www.reportbuyer.com/go/KEY00174 estimates that the UK market for baths and sanitaryware fell by 20% in 2008 at manufacturers' selling prices (msp) and a further decline is forecast for 2009. Following a period of severe price erosion and falling margins, the total market is estimated at £335.2m in 2008.

The 119 page report includes: all types of sanitaryware (toilets, urinals, cisterns, wash basins, pedestals and bidets) of vitreous china/ceramic, plastic or metallic materials; and baths (of acrylic, metal and other materials). The key markets for bathroom sales are housing and contract/commercial, in both the public and private sector. While new build housing is significant, replacement of bathroom suites in private housing represents a key market sector.

The new-build housing sector dropped dramatically in 2008, with total housing starts falling. The decline was most severe in the private sector, although the public sector also suffered. Additionally, a lack of consumer confidence has caused private housing repair, maintenance and improvement to slow in the face of rising unemployment and uncertain economic conditions, and this sector is expected to decline in 2009. The most buoyant areas are proving to be public-sector investment in the housing refurbishment programme Decent Homes, as well as education and health projects, all of which present opportunities for sales of baths and sanitaryware. Olympic-related work is also providing some activity.

Key trends for 2009 include sustainability and water efficiency measures, in the face of new Building Regulations to be introduced in October 2009, which will provide a new minimum standard of 125 litres of water per day per person. This is already affecting product design. Housebuilders now have to meet a raft of legislative requirements, including The Code for Sustainable Homes.

The report forecasts that the baths and sanitaryware market will not recover until 2010, even though there may be a slight upturn in the housing sector in the second half of 2009. There is, however, likely to be further consolidation internationally among baths and sanitaryware manufacturers, with reduction of costs, production efficiencies, stronger supply-chain partnerships and differentiated design potentially proving critical for survival.

The report “Baths & Sanitaryware: Market Report 2009 Fourteenth Edition” is available from Report Buyer at:
http://www.reportbuyer.com/consumer_goods_retail/house/ba...

Report Buyer product ID: KEY00174

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