A national research study conducted by Eric Mower + Associates' Contractor Insight specialty reveals that contractors make nearly half of their tool and building supply purchases from big-box retailers.
"Retailers score high for variety and convenience, but that's not the whole story for brand marketers; they must 'see' the customer as a shopper, not only as a contractor. If they don't— and they don't know the shopper's journey or how to align their product in the retail environment— they will not reach full potential in the aisles," said John O'Hara partner and leader of EMA's Contractor Insight specialty.
When it comes to purchasing hand tools, power tools and tool accessories, big-box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's have an advantage over traditional distributors as the preferred shopping destination. Study respondents cited convenience, range of products and brands, and accessibility as their reasons for choosing their place of purchase.
According to the research, 46% of contractors purchase hand tools, 47% purchase power tools and 49% purchase accessories from big-box retailers; 42%, 35% and 36% purchase hand tools, power tools and accessories from distributors, respectively.
Contractors perceived big-box retailers to have a better variety of products, lower pricing, and greater convenience as a one-stop shop, according to the study. Of the respondents, 63% would prefer to make small-volume purchases at big box retailers.
Those who prefer purchasing through distributors said it was for their customer service (75%), relationships (70%), knowledge (63%) and delivery (54%), all of which ranked significantly higher when compared to retailers. Distributors were also ranked high for having tools for pros, shipping directly to the contractor site and credit arrangements. According to the survey, 80% would make large-volume purchases at the distributorship, especially for plumbers (91%).
The EMA study was administered online to 500 general contractors, electricians, plumbers and HVAC specialists. More than 90 percent of respondents have at least six years' professional experience. BD+C
Related Stories
| Aug 27, 2014
Study looks at lessons from involving children in K-12 school design
A study examining what architects can learn from children, especially during the design process, is being carried out through the University of Sheffield's school of architecture.
| Aug 27, 2014
Designs for community-based workspace in Carlsbad unveiled
Cruzan announced make, a 175,000-square-foot office redevelopment project on the coast of Carlsbad, Calif. Cruzan will usher this next generation of community-based, integrated workspace into existence in fall 2014.
| Aug 26, 2014
6 lessons from a true IPD project: George Washington University Hospital
In its latest blog post, Skanska shares tips and takeaways from the firm's second true integrated project delivery project.
| Aug 26, 2014
Ranked: Top industrial sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Stantec, Jacobs, and Turner top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest industrial sector design and construction firms, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 26, 2014
High-rise concept uses 'sky street' to link towers [slideshow]
The design for a new complex in Shenzhen’s bay area consists of highly reflective glass towers, expansive garden space, and a horizontal glass structure that connects the buildings.
| Aug 25, 2014
Restoration of quake-ravaged Atascadero City Hall affirms city’s strength [2014 Reconstruction Awards]
The landmark city hall was severely damaged by the San Simeon earthquake in 2003. Reconstruction renewed the building’s stability, restored its exterior, and improved the functionality of the interior.
| Aug 25, 2014
Ranked: Top cultural facility sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Arup, Gensler, and Turner head BD+C's rankings of design and construction firms with the most revenue from cultural facility projects, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 25, 2014
Tall wood buildings: Surveying the early innovators
Timber has been largely abandoned as a structural solution in taller buildings during the last century, in favor of concrete and steel. Perkins+Will's Rebecca Holt writes about the firm's work in surveying the burgeoning tall wood buildings sector.
| Aug 25, 2014
'Vanity space' makes up large percentage of world's tallest buildings [infographic]
Large portions of some skyscrapers are useless space used to artificially enhance their height, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
| Aug 25, 2014
Photographer creates time-lapse video of 1 WTC using 30,000 photos
Choosing from 30,000 photos he took from the day construction began in 2006 to the day when construction was finished in 2012, Brooklyn-based photographer Benjamin Rosamund compressed 1,100 photos to create the two-minute video.
