Self-styled “online builders’ merchant” Building Superstore has seen a significant increase in orders placed via its mobile app over the last three months as its parent group also launches a “disruptive new online resource” to meet the needs of DIY customers and self-builders.
Building Superstore says more contractors are now choosing the convenience of finding and buying building products and materials at a time and place to suit them. The business says its recent rebrand from CMO Trade to Building Superstore has supported this shift, with nine times more orders secured on the mobile app in the three months up to June 2023 when compared to the same period the previous year.
From the disruption of having to down tools and ‘pop out’ for urgent supplies, to the stress of not being able to find the required item in stock, the firm argues that buying building materials in person can be a time consuming process. Accordingly, Building Superstore says it offers “a quick and easy alternative,” providing over 130,000 different products but still offering access to a real-life customer service team who can help with product selection, technical queries, and best price points.
As part of CMO, reported to be the UK’s largest online-only retailer of building products and materials, Building Superstore is the company’s dedicated trade service and trade professionals can open an account to order on the website, by telephone or via the popular mobile app. This flexible approach is said to help Building Superstore respond directly to its customers’ changing needs, providing a 24/7 service to a new generation of trade contractors who want to be in greater control of their time and money.
Rob Martin, Head of Trade at Building Superstore, said: “We are seeing an increase not only in the number of customers choosing to purchase products via our trade app, but also in the frequency and size of orders, and the level of repeat business. This shows us that convenience and flexibility of ordering materials online and on the go is just what our customers want.
“As well as checking availability to source urgent products for next day delivery and being able to quickly source multiple materials for a range of different tasks, our account holders also have access to a number of exclusive features that will help them keep track of their orders, and create quotations for future jobs. We know that a lot of this necessary admin needs to be done after hours, as well as urgently on site, and the level of control and convenience this offers is definitely something that seems to appeal to our customers.”
The new Building Superstore app can be used across all of CMO’s online superstores including Roofing Superstore, Insulation Superstore, Door Superstore, Tile and Floor Superstore, Drainage Superstore and the recently launched Plumbing Superstore.
CMO Group Plc has also developed a “disruptive new online resource specifically to meet the evolving needs of DIY customers, professional renovators and self-builders.” The new Good Builds Superstore platform has been launched to complement CMO’s existing online product (trade) superstores by creating a bespoke retail destination where “homeowners can find inspiration and buy everything they need for their project, as well as enjoying all the discounts, special offers and product ranges in one shopping experience.”
Supporting the company’s ethos that ‘good builds start here,’ the new website is said to provide customers with everything they need to tackle a wide variety of projects, from inspiration and design ideas, to practical tips and technical advice including the option for customers to upload their project plans and receive individual guidance. Offering curated product choice to support specific projects and wider access to over 130,000 products from leading manufacturers, the venture “aims to provide homeowners with the confidence to go from project inspiration to project basket in a seamless, inspirational shopping journey.”
Nick Fisher, Director of Sales and Customer Service, said: “As the UK’s largest online only builders’ merchant, we are constantly refining our service offering to better meet the needs of our evolving customer base. Our successful superstore e-commerce sites are popular with both consumer and trade customers but with the changing needs of DIY and self-build market, we were keen to offer our consumer customers a more bespoke solution.
“In much the same way as our Building Superstore account service provides a practical and convenient solution for our professional trade contractor customers, the new Good Builds website gives our consumer customers a single-source for researching and purchasing building materials. Whatever your level of skill, and whatever you’re working on, good builds start with us and we’re excited for this next part of CMO’s journey.”
