BSS vs Screwfix:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, BSS had more branded searches than Screwfix among plumbers merchants in the United Kingdom. BSS had about 1,900 branded searches, while Screwfix had 1,300. BSS made up 1% of all plumbers merchant searches we track, and Screwfix accounted for 0.69%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about plumbers merchants, Screwfix appeared in two of the four answers and BSS in none.
Who do people search for more?
BSS, about 46% more searches than Screwfix
Who does AI mention more?
Screwfix, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, BSS in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Screwfix, the only one of the two named
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Top plumbers merchants in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Screwfix was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. BSS did not appear in any of the four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
City Plumbing4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Plumb Center4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Screwfix2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Toolstation2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Plumbase1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- PTS0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
PlumbNation0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Plumbing Superstore0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- BSS0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about plumbers merchants
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best plumbers merchant in the UK for trade prices?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Where can heating engineers in the UK buy boilers and parts quickly?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which UK plumbing suppliers deliver to site the next day?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“plumbers merchant”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“plumbing supplies”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 28, 2026.
Share of searches by month for BSS, Screwfix. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | City Plumbing | Plumb Center | Plumbase | PTS | PlumbNation | Plumbing Superstore | BSS | Screwfix | Toolstation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 67% | 16.4% | 9% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.97% | 0.77% | 0.13% |
| Nov 2025 | 67% | 16.4% | 9% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.97% | 0.77% | 0.13% |
| Dec 2025 | 67% | 16.4% | 9% | 3.3% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.79% | 0.79% | 0.13% |
| Jan 2026 | 65.8% | 16.2% | 10.8% | 2.6% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.76% | 0.76% | 0.13% |
| Feb 2026 | 69.6% | 14% | 9.4% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 0.67% | 0.11% |
| Mar 2026 | 67.2% | 16.5% | 9% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.77% | 0.65% | 0.11% |
| Apr 2026 | 71.1% | 14.3% | 7.8% | 2.8% | 1.6% | 1% | 0.69% | 0.56% | 0.09% |
| May 2026 | 71.7% | 14.4% | 7.9% | 2.3% | 1.3% | 1% | 0.7% | 0.57% | 0.11% |
| Jun 2026 | 71.1% | 14.3% | 7.8% | 2.8% | 1.6% | 1% | 0.69% | 0.56% | 0.11% |
| Jul 2026 | 67.1% | 16.5% | 9% | 3.3% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.94% | 0.5% | 0.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 57.2% | 20.9% | 11.4% | 5.1% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.63% | 0.16% |
| Sep 2026 | 58.7% | 21.6% | 9.7% | 4.3% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.69% | 0.11% |
Screwfix sells other things too, so only its searches that name this product count here, like “screwfix plumbing”.
How has the BSS and Screwfix comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- BSS was ahead of Screwfix in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BSS’s share of searches among plumbers merchants in the United Kingdom moved from 0.97% to 1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.4K to 1.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Screwfix’s share of searches among plumbers merchants in the United Kingdom moved from 0.77% to 0.69%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.9K to 1.3K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom plumbers merchants in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using BSS’s and Screwfix’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among plumbers merchants
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