explore our market researches

European Sustainability Report 2024

European Sustainability Report 2024

Market reports

See all
usp

Trends I published 15 December 2023

Ecommerce

E-commerce is booming and plays an increasingly important role in the European construction, installation, and home improvement markets. E-commerce offers retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, and manufacturers opportunities to generate more customers and sales as consumers get more used to the convenience of ordering online.

To gain insights into the current status, growth, and effect of e-commerce in the construction, installation, and home improvement markets, USP Marketing Consultancy conducts several studies per year. These quantitative and qualitative studies all show that e-commerce is here to stay and that there are still many opportunities to be grasped.

How is it already impacting the industry?

The digital maturity of the construction and installation markets is lagging compared to the home improvement market. However, the vast majority of construction and installation companies will invest more in their e-commerce policies. This is mainly due to the continuous demand of customers, a fundamental change in how the industry orders, and the realisation that the sector is indeed lagging.

Drivers of E-commerce in construction and installation

When it comes to e-commerce in construction, organisations increasingly know exactly what they want. In essence, the biggest wish is a solution to the data problem so that e-commerce can be used without any problems. It is also important to reduce manual data errors. This strong focus on streamlining activities and saving time makes sense in light of the growth that the construction sector has experienced.

While most industry organisations are in the early or mid-stage of the e-commerce curve, many distributors are in a more mature phase. The urgency for distributors to embrace innovation may lie in the rise of direct sales to consumers. Distributors are more likely to be forced to digitalize due to the threat posed by manufacturers and wholesalers selling directly to consumers.

BIM also drives e-commerce growth

However, even the most mature e-commerce organisations in construction are still lagging behind sectors such as retail. Growth in construction will take place partly due to the need for Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM has changed in recent years from a nice-to-have solution for on-site productivity to a digital model that is at the heart of organisations’ digitalization plans—a model that building material companies will increasingly rely on to succeed.

Omni-channel is becoming the new norm

The traditional way of separating trade channels is increasingly disappearing in European countries, not only in the B2C market but also in the B2B market. In the past, manufacturers only supplied their products to professional traders or wholesalers (general and specialised). These channels sold the products to professionals. Today, the decision-making process is much more complicated than it was decades ago, and online buying options are numerous. This development has led to a switch from the traditional three-layer model to the current dynamic model.

Changing search and purchase behaviour of professionals

The growth of e-commerce strengthens the online search and purchasing behaviour of professionals. This is not surprising, as e-commerce offers many benefits for professionals. The speed of ordering, delivery, and cost savings are very important advantages, for example, as construction projects need to be delivered faster and faster.

How has e-commerce impacted online search and purchasing behaviour?

  • Architects regularly use online resources to stay up-to-date with trends and new solutions. They also search the internet a lot for technical product properties. They widely use the internet in general, and specifically the websites of manufacturers and platforms for architects, as sources of information.
  • Contractors expect the share-of-wallet of pure online stores to strongly grow in the coming years. At the moment, pure online stores have a fairly low share (between 1% and 6%) compared to other channels. The UK and the Netherlands are the frontrunners with the highest expected increase, mainly due to distinctive features, fast delivery services, and convenient ordering methods.
Share of contractors buying from pure online stores
UK Germany France Poland Belgium Netherlands Spain
Current share 57% 27% 5% 21% 12% 18% 10%
Expected share in 5 years 82% 40% 12% 30% 27% 48% 17%

 

  • The vast majority of installers buy their products online, regardless of the channel. However, there is a big difference between the E-installers and the HVAC-installers. This difference is mainly due to the types of products that can be ordered online.

Buying from pure online shops is slow in most countries. For example, the share-of-wallet installers dedicated to pure online shops is around 4 to 5 per cent. In times of busy schedules and a lot of work for the installation companies, we see that they tend to go back to their traditional product suppliers where the most necessary materials can be found.

Share of installers buying online, regardless of channel
UK Germany France Poland Belgium Netherlands Spain
E-installer 87% 89% 56% 68% 81% 92% 50%
HVAC-installer 51% 59% 22% 27% 43% 76% n/a

E-commerce in the home improvement sector

The online share of home improvement purchases in Europe has grown from 8.5% in 2019 to 13.2% in the first half of 2020. Although DIY stores are growing in sales this year, they are losing market share to the online channel. Established players must therefore defend themselves against the risk of e-commerce and utilise the opportunities e-commerce supplies.

Amazon is more often the starting point in the online journey

Online stores as a starting point for the purchase of home improvement products is a worrying development for hardware and DIY stores. In most countries, consumers prefer Amazon as a starting point when buying specific home improvement products. This is worrying because in this case, the DIY store may not be a point of contact at all in the customer journey. This will lead to DIY stores rapidly losing market share, which can have negative consequences in the long run if DIY spending returns to normal.

What is next?

As customer satisfaction is increasingly important in the business operations of retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, and manufacturers, customers are increasingly spoiled. As a result, customer expectations increase and they require:

  • Cheap or free returns
  • No shipping costs
  • A website where information about products can easily be found
  • 24/7 low response online customer service
  • A frictionless buying experience by phone and computer

Handling more customer data to gain an edge over the competition

Data is becoming increasingly important. By selling products through your webshop, a huge amount of data is collected. Based on this data, the offer can be adjusted to what the customer wants. Besides, over the past 5 years there has been a huge increase in voice-activated devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home, leading to a parallel leap in consumers who want to try voice commerce. As more voice-activated devices appear on the market, this trend will only continue to accelerate.

In B2C, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are a growing trend, focusing on delivering an inspiring and immersive customer experience. There are also great possibilities to use AR and VR in B2B, such as offering the right parts or custom designs.

We are already seeing B2C companies taking a step towards reducing their environmental impact. This includes highlighting the impact of certain actions on their customers. Sustainability matters especially to millennials, which is important as these people are the next CEOs who might be interested in your product.

Context is key

To create an overview of market developments and provide context for client-specific research, USP Marketing Consultancy has developed several monitors. We continuously research market developments and effects of key trends like labour shortage among architects, contractors, HVAC installers, electrical installers, painters and end-consumers, of which reports are published quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

Fresh Insights Await

Our relevant reports

Delve into the newest findings across various market segments, crafted for a cutting-edge overview. Explore our insightful reports, brimming with up-to-date data, trend analyses, and in-depth examinations, all tailored to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the current market dynamics.

Construction

Home Improvement

Installation

Special reports

Construction

Decision making process Q3 2024

2024 87 pages

Unveil the decision-making processes in the construction industry through the lens of European architects. Discover the factors that influence crucial decisions and the interplay among different stakeholders.

Construction

Prefab H1 2024

2024 63 pages

Discover the adoption rate and benefits of prefabrication technology among European contractors in H1 2024. Understand the driving forces behind prefab usage and its impact on project efficiency and cost-saving.

Construction

Sustainability 2024

2024 72 pages

Painter Insight Monitor 2024 will focus on understanding the specific needs, preferences, and challenges faced by painters when it comes to sustainable products.

Construction

Importance of branding & branding funnels 2024

2024 62 pages

This report offers a comprehensive overview of importance of branding and branding funnels with a specific focus on European handymen. Brand behaviour is covered for each country, showing purchasing power, differences regarding quality, sustainability, online shopping, innovation-habit and private labels,

Construction

Future of construction Q2 2024

2024 82 pages

Explore the evolving future in construction sector among European architects in Q2 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.

Construction

Trends in material usage Q1 2024

2024 102 pages

Explore the evolving trends in material usage among European architects in Q1 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.

Home Improvement

European Garden Monitor

2023 43 pages

Explore the European Garden Monitor, a comprehensive platform dedicated to garden health monitoring in Europe. Access valuable resources and expert advice today.

Home Improvement

Purchase channels Q2 2024

2024 90 pages

The European Home Improvement Monitor offers valuable insights on purchase channels in the European home improvement industry, examining the evolving preferences and behaviors of consumers across traditional retail and emerging online platforms.

Home Improvement

Sustainability Q1 2024

2024 81 pages

Delve into sustainability trends in the home improvement sector in Q1 2024. Discover consumer preferences and the shift towards eco-friendly home improvement solutions.

Home Improvement

DIY versus DIFM Q4 2021

2024 113 pages

This report is a must-have if you’re in the home improvement industry. It provides a wealth of information on the behaviour of DIY and DIFM consumers, their motivations, and the factors that influence their purchasing decisions.

Home Improvement

DIY or DIFM Q4 2023

2024 70

Explore the prevailing trends between DIY and DIFM in Q4 2023. Understand consumer preferences and the factors influencing their choice between DIY and DIFM.

Home Improvement

Branding Q3 2023

2023 93 pages

This report offers an extensive overview of the home improvement industry, with a focus on branding and the most popular brands within different categories. Within this report, you will gain insights into how customers perceive home improvement brands and what motivates them to buy certain products.

Installation

Prefab Q3 2024

2024 110 pages

Uncover the adoption of prefabricated products in HVAC installations during Q2 2022. Delve into the benefits and challenges associated with prefabrication in HVAC.

Installation

Branding Q3 2024

2024 74 pages

Discover the power of branding in the home improvement sector. Explore how strong branding influences consumer preferences and purchase decisions.

Installation

Prefab Q3 2024

2024 119 pages

This report offers a comprehensive view of the installers’ involvement and needs regarding prefabricated electrical installations.

Installation

Smart & Connected Products Q2 2024

2024 120 pages

This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among electrical installers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.

Installation

Smart and connected products Q2 2024

2024 129

This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among HVAC installers, plumbers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.

Installation

BIM Q1 2024

2024 84 pages

The European Mechanical Installation Monitor report provides a detailed analysis of the plumbing and HVAC industry. This report specifically focuses on BIM adaptation in the industry.

Special reports

European Sustainability Report 2024

2024 51 pages

This report provides in-depth insights based on triangulation of key market information and data as well as data from USP Marketing Consultancy’s key monitors that are carried out year in, year out. The focus of this report is on the most important stakeholders within the construction industry, namely architects, contractors, electrical and HVAC installers within The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, France, Italy, and Spain.