UK’s MKM Building Supplies Launches Online Storefront Built on BigCommerce

MKM Building Supplies has launched a new online storefront built with BigCommerce technology and partners.

The United Kingdom-based hardware and commercial building supply company replaced its previous legacy platform in order to improve functionality, manage tens of thousands of product stock-keeping units (SKUs) and create B2B, B2C and B2B2C experiences that are localized and personalized, the companies said in a Tuesday (Jan. 17) press release.

“Launching on BigCommerce allowed us to personalize the customer journey and deliver frictionless experiences across channels,” MKM Building Supplies Digital and Marketing Director Andy Pickup said in the release. “Since moving to the platform, we have been performing above expectations on eCommerce metrics and driving more physical store visits.”

PYMNTS research has found that the rise of eCommerce has led customers to develop high expectations for simple, transparent, secure digital payment experiences in both B2C and B2B transactions.

The growth of B2B eCommerce has been driven in part by the digitally savvy millennials who are moving into managerial positions with purchasing authority. Because they are comfortable with digital payment and self-service capabilities, these younger B2B customers have more or less abandoned traditional modes of purchasing goods, according to “The New Singularity,” a PYMNTS and USEND collaboration.

B2B transactions often carry a higher price tag than B2C ones, so wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers need to double down on building trust and high-touch payment experiences while still capitalizing on the efficiency afforded by digitization, the report said.

To build its new online storefront, MKM Building Supplies replatformed to BigCommerce and engaged Brave Bison to integrate the overall solution, Vue Storefront to provide the front-end solution, and Bloomreach to drive personalization, according to the Tuesday press release.

“MKM had its specific set of front- and back-end eCommerce hurdles and a large part of it comes down to the complexity of the B2B customer journey,” BigCommerce Senior Vice President of Global Product Marketing Meghan Stabler said in the release. “BigCommerce’s Open SaaS platform and partner ecosystem equip MKM Building Supplies with the flexible tools to build tech stacks that overcome these challenges while creating frictionless B2C user experiences so the brand can focus on advancing its business.”