The post Executive Summary of “The Evolution of eCommerce in the Construction Industry” Report appeared first on UK Construction Blog.
The construction industry faces increasing pressure to adapt to digital transformation as B2B customers now expect the same seamless experiences they receive from B2C retailers. A recent report by eCommerce agency PushON reveals that over half of B2B buyers will switch suppliers if they encounter poor digital experiences. Despite clear benefits, many construction businesses remain hampered by gaps in readiness and strategy.
The Digital Divide: Adoption vs Resistance
The construction sector shows a significant split between digital innovators and traditionalists. Resistance to change (56%), difficulty aligning eCommerce with broader business goals (54%), and leadership’s limited understanding (24%) are primary barriers to adoption. Companies that embrace digital transformation are gaining market share while those resisting change risk irrelevance as 67% of B2B buyers prefer online self-service tools over interactions with sales representatives.
Mobile and Online Revenue Growth
Online revenue now constitutes 32% of total business revenue in the construction sector, with 45% of businesses generating 31-40% of their revenue online. While 88% claim to be prepared for mobile-first eCommerce, only 40% are fully optimized. Custom-built platforms (45.6%) dominate the sector, though hybrid approaches combining off-the-shelf solutions with custom integrations offer a practical middle ground that balances functionality with cost-effectiveness.
AI and Automation: Transforming the Sector
AI adoption is widespread across the construction eCommerce sector, with high implementation rates for personalized recommendations (82%), site search enhancement (73%), inventory management (71%), and customer support chatbots (78%). Despite this progress, many businesses limit AI to isolated functions rather than implementing it holistically across operations. Future success depends on integrating AI across the value chain, ensuring data quality, and training teams to maximize these tools.
Customer-Centric Trends: Speed and Personalization
Personalization (58%) and faster delivery (49%) are the leading customer-centric priorities for construction eCommerce businesses. These strategies strengthen customer relationships, drive sales, and provide competitive advantages. However, sustainability initiatives remain critically undervalued, with only 16% of businesses prioritizing carbon footprint reduction despite increasing regulatory pressures and global climate concerns.
Technology Readiness and Infrastructure
Nearly 20% of construction suppliers describe their tech stack as inflexible, with 14% expressing dissatisfaction with their current platforms. Cloud hosting adoption (51%) is growing but lags behind custom hosting (68%). Critical capabilities like Content Management Systems (24%), Product Information Management (32%), and Digital Asset Management (31%) show low adoption rates. These infrastructure gaps limit scalability and the ability to deliver sophisticated customer experiences.
Future Focus: Priorities for Growth
Construction eCommerce leaders are prioritizing platform upgrades (40%), Product Information Management systems (38%), and AI adoption (30%). However, only 11% prioritize marketing technology despite its crucial role in customer acquisition and retention. Additionally, while 86% of respondents express confidence in their data capabilities, 38% struggle with inconsistent data quality and 33% face data silos between systems, highlighting a disconnect between perceived and actual readiness.
Conclusion
The construction sector stands at a critical juncture where digital transformation is no longer optional. Successful businesses must adopt customer-centric strategies, integrate AI across operations, upgrade infrastructure, address resistance to change through leadership education, and prioritize marketing alongside technological investments. Those who embrace these changes will be positioned to meet evolving customer expectations and secure long-term growth in an increasingly competitive market.
See here to read the full report: https://www.pushon.co.uk/whitepaper/the-evolution-of-ecommerce-in-the-construction-industry/
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