One in four construction supply businesses are not adequately equipped to meet the demands of today’s online-first customer base, according to new research.
Based on a nationwide survey of 250 senior decision-makers within the UK construction supply chain, the report paints a detailed picture of the widening digital divide within the sector.
Despite growing pressure to modernise, it shows that more than a quarter of UK construction suppliers and builders’ merchants are struggling to keep pace with digital change, creating a stark divide between those embracing change and those at risk of being left behind.
The findings, published in Building the Future: The Evolution of Construction eCommerce by eCommerce agency PushON, highlight increasing concern around the sector’s readiness for digital transformation.
According to the research, one in five (21%) businesses admit they are “falling behind”, while a further 5% have not yet begun adopting modern eCommerce practices at all.
While digital adoption is progressing in parts of the industry, significant challenges remain. Just over 12% said they are not prepared for mobile-first commerce, while nearly a fifth (19%) struggle with inflexible eCommerce systems that can’t adapt to changing customer demands. Six per cent even described their platforms as “not flexible at all”.
There is also growing dissatisfaction with current digital capabilities. More than one in ten respondents (14%) said they were unhappy with their existing eCommerce platforms, citing issues around functionality and support.
Meanwhile, 56% of those surveyed admitted they are struggling to align their eCommerce strategies with wider business goals – an indication that many are still treating online operations as an add-on, rather than a central part of their long-term growth plans.
Sam Rutley, Managing Director of PushON, commented: “Construction suppliers risk losing relevance if they continue to delay digital transformation. Many in the industry still see eCommerce as a bolt-on or a threat to the way they’ve always worked.
"But the reality is that it’s now expected by customers. If construction suppliers want to stay competitive, they need to act decisively and embrace platforms and processes that are flexible, mobile-optimised, and aligned with modern customer expectations.
“The recognition is there, but execution is lagging. This is a sector with huge potential to benefit from digital innovation, but it needs strong leadership and a willingness to challenge old assumptions.”
The report urges construction suppliers to take a more strategic approach, starting with leadership education, aligning eCommerce with overarching business goals, and prioritising systems integration to remove operational bottlenecks. A “start small, scale fast” approach to transformation, using pilot projects to demonstrate value and secure internal support, is recommended.
