The Edinburgh-based firm has invested around £40,000 in its first online store.
St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies is primed for further growth after completing an e-commerce overhaul across the group.
One of Scotland’s largest independent builders’ merchants with four branches serving the central belt and beyond, the Edinburgh-based firm has invested around £40,000 in its first online store which sees it become a ‘one-stop’ shop for both the trade and public across the country.
The digital upgrade will transform the retail experience with customers now able to buy everything they need under one roof from simple DIY requirements and extensions to building a dream home, with a comprehensive specialist cutting and paint service also available in Paisley.
The e-commerce site offers doors, floors, sandstone, porcelain, artificial turf, composite decking as well as building and joinery essentials through to decorative aggregates, fencing, hardwoods, drainage, insulation and roofing.
Managing Director Ronnie Robinson, who set up the family-run firm in 2002, hailed the latest advancement as a “major milestone” for the business which will help with ongoing expansion plans.
“This is a huge step forward for us and a major milestone in our history,” he said. “Establishing a ‘one-stop’ shop for customers has been an ambition of mine for a long time and I am delighted to now be able to provide that.
“We have invested in other areas of the business such as staff, new premises, the fleet and we have got to the long-overdue e-commerce side of things. I have to admit we were probably a bit behind the curve in this area but I am confident we will catch up quickly given the huge growth of the online market.”
The company, which has two branches in Edinburgh, one in Livingston and one in Paisley, had previously relied on people phoning in their orders, or placing an order via an external platform with limited marketplace offerings.
Operations Director Kerrie Ferguson said the new arrangement will make the whole process simpler and more appealing to more people.
“Our one-stop shop is fully underway now. There will be a much-improved customer experience and convenience for retail & account customers alike. This will help us a reach a new audience and assist us in our growth and expansion plans while further streamlining our business and overall customer offering.
“A customer can simply go to our website and place their order right to their door - they can even order on a Saturday or Sunday night when we are closed.”
