Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
A nationally representative survey of 300 branch managers, undertaken by MRA Reports, shows that 67% of general builders’ merchants in the UK expect Click & Collect sales to increase at their branch over the next 12 months.
The survey forms a part of a quarterly update report on the UK builders’ merchants’ market, which provides a review of key market events, M&A activity and updated forecasts to 2030 based on new data as well as merchants’ responses to the survey.
Anna Eriksson of MRA Building Market Reports said: “Having run this survey over three consecutive quarters, we are seeing the number of branches offering Click & Collect increase each quarter. Some merchants are actively pursuing the online sales channel and setting ambitious growth targets.
“The fact that Same Day delivery availability depends on merchants’ workloads could be viewed as an issue. However, in reality, most merchants are highly customer oriented and will meet customers’ requirements wherever possible. Same Day delivery is often offered as an added extra, rather than a promise. There are higher expectations for weather dependent work and among DIY customers.
“While the long-term trend is towards growth in Click & Collect and faster delivery options, we are currently seeing some opposing movements that we believe to be temporary. With both fuel and material prices at historically high levels, customers are often happy to wait longer if it means
avoiding delivery surcharges.”
