Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has just published a major new report, The Builders’ Merchant Branch of the Future, setting out a clear and practical vision for the future of the UK’s builders’ merchant branches.
The Report is written by respected industry expert Steve Collinge and was co-sponsored by the BMF and the global strategy consulting firm L.E.K. Consulting. It provides actionable insights for merchants of all sizes on how to transform their businesses across seven critical areas: Convenience, The Right Range, Expertise & Advice, Payments & Pricing, Health & Wellbeing, Personalisation & Loyalty, and Sustainability & Responsibility.
The report assesses that the sector stands at a pivotal moment. Shifting customer expectations, the rise of digital technologies, increasing focus on sustainability, and the drive for greater operational efficiency are reshaping what trade customers expect, and how branches must respond.
To support members in turning the report’s insights into action, the Institute of Builders Merchants (IoBM) will host a free members’ only event: “The Builders’ Merchant Branch of the Future” on Wednesday 26 November 2025 at the Volvo Group UK headquarters in Warwick.
This interactive day will bring together industry leaders, merchants, suppliers, and learning and development specialists to explore how businesses and individuals can prepare for the evolving merchanting landscape.
Want to find out:
- How changing trends and customer behaviours are reshaping the sector
- The impact of the ‘branch of the future’ on job roles, skills, and career pathways
- How the IoBM can help future-proof individual careers
Speakers include Richard Hill (BMF Chair), John Newcomb (BMF CEO), Marianna Peet (BMF L&D and Apprenticeship Manager), Steve Collinge (Insight Retail Group), and Ed Parlato (Browns Builders Merchants), alongside a panel of merchants and suppliers.
The day will feature presentations, Q&A sessions, and breakout workshops designed to help delegates translate future trends into practical steps for their businesses and careers.
To register, please contact Sharon Maguire at sharon.maguire@bmf.org.uk.
Please note: The event is exclusively for IoBM members and free to attend.
A defining moment for the merchant sector
Together, the publication of The Builders’ Merchant Branch of the Future report and the upcoming IoBM event mark a defining moment for the industry. They provide both a strategic vision and a practical pathway to ensure that merchanting continues to thrive in the years ahead.
As the industry moves forward, embracing changing customer expectations will be pivotal, and those who act now will shape the future of the merchant branch, leading the sector into its next era of growth.
