Bunnings to renovate Homebase UK website

Bunnings has suspended its online delivery service in Britain as it ‘renovates and refreshes’ the Homebase UK site.

A Homebase store in Sevenoaks, Britain. Bunnings acquired Homebase last year.

Bunnings has temporarily suspended its online delivery service in Britain as it takes the next crucial step in the transformation of its Homebase hardware chain into a rebadged Bunnings chain, with the hardware retailer sayings it is “renovating and refreshing” the website to facilitate smoother experience for the shoppers.

The move to a new web platform for Homebase, which Bunnings owner Wesfarmers bought for $704 million in 2016, comes as Bunnings plans to double its pilot program to open 20 stores in Britain by the end of 2017.

The online delivery platform is expected to be shut down for about a week as key changes and improvements are made to the site, and would underline the importance of having a smooth running, attractive and highly functional e-commerce site for the British market.

During the downtime for the Bunnings UK site customers will still be able to browse products online and check their availability in store, but there will be no home delivery options.

On the Homebase website, the hardware retailer says it is “renovating and refreshing” the site. “The new look and feel makes it easier to browse our great ranges and discover loads of ideas and advice.

“We are also changing how we deliver our product ranges, so for a little while there will be no option for home delivery, but that will be back really soon.”

Wesfarmers has pledged to invest more than $1 billion on its newly acquired Homebase business, which includes the rollout of new Bunnings pilot stores in Britain and a new online store.

While Bunnings in Australia still does not have a fully operational online store with home delivery, such a service is considered crucial in the British market where online shopping is a key driver of customer traffic and sales.

Despite the looming arrival of Amazon in Australia, Bunnings is sticking to its decision not to offer a fully operational, home delivery website for its Australian hardware arm.

Recently appointed Bunnings boss Michael Schneider reaffirmed that policy at the Wesfarmers strategy day in June, following the position of his predecessor John Gillam, that it does not stack up financially or strategically to have a full online delivery service.

“We love the fact shoppers love coming in and shopping with us; we see ourselves as a very differentiated offer when you come into a store,’’ Mr Schneider told analysts at strategy day.

He said Bunnings shoppers typically needed hardware products immediately as they worked on projects. They also enjoyed coming into the stores. But there would always be room to improve the Australian Bunnings website.

“So there is clearly a strong desire to participate but there is absolutely space for us to do more in the online space and that is why will have the special orders component, and we will listen really carefully to customers.”