Of the four Windhoek hardware stores surveyed by The Brief in August 2024, Pupkewitz Megabuild recorded a 23.45% price drop in its basket of goods, marking the biggest year-on-year decrease.
A major factor was the drop in paint prices, which fell from N$ 2,576.00 in August ’23 to N$ 928.99 in August ’24. Other contributors included the decrease in the cost of Door Frame Steel, from N$ 544.10 in August ’23 to N$ 479.94 in August ’24, and Roofing Galvanized IBR, which declined from N$ 690.00 in August ’23 to N$ 654.99 in August ’24.
Ark Trading followed closely, recording a significant year-on-year decrease of 21.68%. The overall basket cost dropped from N$ 10,522.02 in August ’23 to N$ 8,240.24 in August ’24.
Like Pupkewitz, paint prices were a key factor, decreasing from N$ 3,071.83 in August ’23 to N$ 1,113.15 in August ’24. The price of Door Frame Steel also saw a notable drop, from N$ 945.84 in August ’23 to N$ 522.08 in August ’24.
Build It ranked third, with a year-on-year basket decrease of 12.56%. The basket cost fell from N$ 8,640.25 in August ’23 to N$ 7,557.54 in August ’24.
The decline was driven by a decrease in paint prices, from N$ 1,992.95 in August ’23 to N$ 1,081.36 in August ’24, and a reduction in the price of Door Hardboard, from N$ 676.20 in August ’23 to N$ 299.99 in August ’24.
BUCO was the only store to see a slight year-on-year increase, with its basket cost rising by 0.26%, from N$ 8,115.08 in August ’23 to N$ 8,136.11 in August ’24. The increase was primarily due to the price of the Aluminium Sliding Door (Bronze) rising from N$ 2,748.99 in August ’23 to N$ 2,849.00 in August ’24, and the Copper Tube 460 Class O increasing from N$ 658.10 in August ’23 to N$ 749.00 in August ’24.
Among the stores surveyed during the month under review, three exhibited a year-on-year decrease, with paint being a significant factor, while one showed a slight increase.
For August, the focus is on the Brickforce 7MPA, with prices averaged across stores during the survey period. Ark Trading offered the lowest price at N$ 2.56, followed by Pupkewitz at N$ 2.94, Build It at N$ 2.96, and BUCO at N$ 3.00.
The Brief Hardware Survey
The Brief Hardware Survey is conducted monthly, having started in June 2023, with the aim of assessing a basket of similar hardware items that customers are likely to purchase in a month. The survey is carried out across four hardware stores: Ark Trading, Build It, BUCO, and Pupkewitz Megabuild.
The survey aims to guide shoppers on which hardware store offers the cheapest basket of building materials for that particular month. Additionally, an analysis of changes in the basket is performed to provide overall basket and item variations month on month.
Items in the Basket:
Roofing Galvanized IBR
Copper Tube 460 Class 0
Aluminium Window (Bronze)
Aluminium Sliding Door (Bronze)
Brick 7 MPA
Brickforce 150 MM 15M Roll
Brickforce 75MM 15M Roll
Lintel Concrete 1200X110X75MM
Lintel Concrete 1800X110X75MM
Lintel Concrete 900X110X75MM
Ceiling Board 1200X3000X6.4MM
Door Frame Steel 813X2032X115X1MM
Lockset 2 Lever
Door Hardboard Interior 813 X 2032MM
32.5 Cement Ohorongo
42.5 Cement Ohorongo
Paint 20 Liters
