BuildStore Connections

Every year, more than 20,000 people in the UK embark on a journey to build their own home, spending an average of £70,000 on materials alone - a total spend of £1.4bn.

In a market that is predicted to grow faster than the traditional housing market over the next five years, that's pretty good news for material suppliers and builders' merchants. Particularly when you include the refurbishment, modernisation and improvement markets too. However, exploiting this major opportunity means tackling two significant challenges - putting customers in touch with suppliers, and putting merchants in touch with customers.

BuildStore Connections does just that. A new joint-venture between BuildStore and Unimer, it provides suppliers, merchants and customers with a joined-up supply chain network, and a common marketplace in which to promote, buy and sell goods and services.

How does it work? Firstly by bringing together three of BuildStore's most innovative products - our Visitor Centre in Swindon (the National Self Build and Renovation Centre), TradeCard (our card for direct customer accounts) and TradeLink (our real-time database of TradeCard customers). And secondly by introducing Unimer as BuildStore's strategic partner, with influential links to over 3,000 independent merchant branches and 700 suppliers in the UK.

It's a winning proposition for everyone. Merchants and suppliers who join BuildStore Connections will gain access to genuine consumers with real projects, via both Visitor Centre leads and TradeLink, BuildStore's database of committed self-builders. Consumers will enjoy access to goods and services at trade prices, as well as expert advice and support via the Visitor Centre. Wherever you are on the supply chain, you'll be better off with BuildStore Connections.