The sanitaryware and heating equipment wholesale market in France

Eurostat counts 1,856 companies in the wholesale of hardware, plumbing and heating in France in 2024, after 1,892 in 2023, employing 55,824 people. The sector is consolidating: a company has 30 persons employed on average. Profitability in sanitaryware, heating and hardware wholesale is falling, with a gross operating rate of 5.4% of turnover in 2024, against 7.4% in 2023, according to the same statistics.

According to Uniclima, the French association of thermal, air-handling and refrigeration industries, manufacturers sold 169,000 gas and oil boilers in France in the first half of 2026, against 220,700 a year earlier (−23.4%). Air-to-water heat pumps grow by 14.7%, to 101,330 units. These “sell-in” sales go to distributors and directly to installers: they measure what sanitaryware and heating wholesale buys, not the equipment installed.

Yes. According to Uniclima, sales of low-power air-to-air heat pumps (under 17.5 kW) jumped 36.2% in the first half of 2026 in France, to 602,514 units, against 442,222 a year earlier. Heatwaves and the end of stocks built up at distributors explain this rise, from a historically low market level. High-power systems (VRF) gain 5.6%, to 19,376 units.

According to Eurostat Comext, France imported €348.6 million of heat pumps excluding air conditioners in 2025, after €297.5 million in 2024 and €484.6 million in 2023. Imports of central heating boilers reach €207.0 million in 2025, and those of ceramic sanitary appliances €158.4 million for 64,640 tonnes. France exports only €12.2 million of ceramic sanitaryware the same year.

Sanitaryware and heating wholesale in France brings together integrated networks of large groups, such as Cedeo (Saint-Gobain group) or Frans Bonhomme, regional family groups and independent distributors grouped in cooperatives. Socoda, a group of independent distributors, claims more than 200 members and more than 1,000 points of sale, for €3.8 billion of combined turnover in 2025, all activities included, including sanitaryware and heating.

A PDF report in French, 2026 edition, organised in six chapters: wholesale and its scope, market size and dynamics, installer and household demand, supply and distribution networks, regulation and subsidies, outlook.

Eurostat business and external trade statistics, manufacturers’ sales data published by Uniclima, information from purchasing groups and distributors, and the trade press. Every figure comes with its source and period.

Yes. The study is updated before it is sent, within 48 hours at most: it includes the latest published data, and every figure comes with its source and period.

Wholesalers and distributors, manufacturers of sanitaryware and heating equipment, installers, people opening or taking over branches, and consultants, bankers and investors who need to understand sanitaryware and heating wholesale in France.

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