Builders merchants in the UK are getting the opportunity to branch out to a wider customer base with the launch of online DIY marketplace, Plane & Simple.
Offering a new way to access high quality building materials and home improvement supplies, Plane & Simple (itsplaneandsimple.com) connects DIYers with trusted local independent merchants, shining a light on great local merchants who might not be on a customer’s radar. By entering a postcode, customers are paired with a selection of merchant partners in their area, and a full range of building supplies and products are delivered directly to their door.
Once a merchant signs on as a partner, they benefit from market insight, regular monitoring and additional marketing to drive online sales. With a targeted approach, the platform also allows merchants to control the areas that they are selling to, with full control over delivery areas.
Plane & Simple is currently available in three regions: Central Scotland; Devon and Cornwall; and Sussex and Kent. The long term plans for the business include expansion into the rest of the UK.
Glen Stocco, Co-Founder of Plane & Simple, says: “The pandemic has advanced online purchasing in all sectors, and builders merchants are no exception. We know that 40% of online shoppers prefer to shop on marketplaces, and that shoppers are five times more likely to search for a product on a marketplace than on a brand’s website. We expect this will only increase as the sector adopts more digitalisation.
“Developing a website with online sales capabilities can be a big undertaking for busy businesses. The Plane & Simple partnership means that we only win if we both win. By connecting the best independent trade merchants in the country with local online customers, we think Plane & Simple is going to revolutionise the DIY and building materials purchase process and we’re looking forward to seeing it develop as it’s rolled out across the country.”
Plane & Simple is the latest addition to the growing Donaldson Group portfolio of leading independent brands. A family business, the Donaldson Group has been operating for more than 160years. The 11 businesses that make up the Group trade and operate independently, sharing best practice and innovation.
