The Jewson Branch of the Future and what it means for Ireland’s Builders Merchants.
In a sector where tradition and innovation often pull in opposite directions, UK Merchant and Building Materials Distributor Jewson is proving that it’s possible to honour one while embracing the other. In 2024, Jewson, now under ownership of Danish parent company STARK Group, launched its ‘Branch of the Future initiative’, setting a bold new standard for customer experience and operational strategy in builders’ merchanting. While this revolution is unfolding across the UK, the implications for the Irish market are both significant and timely.
The move is part of STARK Group’s broader vision to modernise Jewson and its vast branch network of more than 400 local branches, not only in terms of physical upgrades, but with a whole new way of thinking about what a builders’ merchant should be. At the heart of this strategy is a clear recognition of a major market shift: a growing consumer preference for “Do It For Me” services over DIY, driven particularly by small and medium-sized tradespeople. This market segment – contractors with fewer than 50 employees – is now the fastest-growing profit segment across Europe. In Ireland, where sole traders and micro-businesses form the core of the construction trade, this trend is especially relevant.
STARK’s acquisition of Jewson and sister brands including Northern Ireland based JP Corry, formerly owned by Saint- Gobain, provided an opportunity to rethink not just the brand, but the very model of branch operation. Their due diligence involved visiting over 50 Jewson branches, where they discovered a recurring theme: local staff feeling disconnected from their customers due to centralised control. STARK’s answer was to give autonomy back to their branch managers, allowing them to respond to the specific needs of their local markets, a move that will resonate with the Irish market, where personal relationships and local knowledge remain critical differentiators.
Drawing from successful models already launched across the Nordics, the first of these new concept branches opened in Bridgewater in May last year. This was followed in October 2024 by the opening of their first flagship branch, a completely new site in Farnborough. In June they will open an even bigger branch in Croydon, the largest new branch to date, and in August, their flagship branch will open on a 40-acre site in Luton.
In early June, Northern Ireland based JP Corry; acquired by STARK Group in March 2023, announced the grand reopening of a fully refurbished and extended branch on Springfield Road, Belfast, completing phase one of the planned redevelopment.
This major milestone marked the transformation of a local institution and also the first significant investment in Northern Ireland by its new parent company.
The Springfield Road redevelopment represents the first wave of this vision in Northern Ireland – a modern “Branch of the Future”, designed to serve as community hubs for the building trade, with smart layouts, expanded timber areas under cover, faster processes, and a comfortable space for trade professionals to refuel and recharge.
This redevelopment is more than a facelift, it’s a signal of the future for the business. It positions JP Corry at the heart of STARK UK’s ambition to deliver industry-leading merchant services across the UK and reflects a broader strategy of sustained, local investment.
Throughout the remainder of 2025 and 2026 Jewson will be gathering valuable data and insights from these new branches ahead of a possible national rollout.
So, what exactly sets these new branches apart?
Product Range and Layout
To begin with, the product range has been significantly expanded. At Farnborough, Jewson increased its stock by roughly 20%, ensuring tradespeople can access everything they need to complete their jobs in one place. It’s a move that eliminates unnecessary stops and delays, a major benefit in any time-sensitive project environment, particularly in rural or regional areas.
During their research, they discovered that one of the key differences between the STARK branches across mainland Europe and the UK was the overall SKU count. On average, their outlets in key markets like the Nordics and Germany hold 10,000 SKUs, whilst in the UK, this could be as low as 2,500.
As a result, the SKU count in the new branches has increased to at least 4,500, with as many as 10,000 products available in the larger Luton branch. This means customers can find a wider selection of heavy-side, light-side, and specialist materials on-site, without needing to order externally or wait for deliveries.
Interestingly, Jewson have stated that each of these new Merchant branches will stock everything required to build a two-storey extension and I mean everything, in stock in the branch for collection that day, from foundations to the bricks and blocks, timber frame and roofing materials.
Product layout has also been completely rethought. Rather than grouping items by manufacturer or category, materials are now arranged by project type or trade, with roofing supplies, for example, all located in a single, intuitive section. This helps customers find what they need quickly, allowing them to spend less time shopping and more time on the job. The wider aisles and clearer signage make the entire space more navigable and less stressful to use.
Accessibility
Physical accessibility to the store has also been radically improved. Jewson’s Farnborough branch introduces a unique Drive-in concept designed to enhance efficiency and convenience for tradespeople. Unlike traditional merchant yards, where materials are often exposed to the elements, this branch ensures that most products including timber are housed under cover. This innovative approach allows customers to load dry materials regardless of the weather, ensuring that supplies remain in optimal condition and reducing delays caused by adverse conditions.
The one-way warehouse system transforms the customer experience by allowing vehicles to drive directly into the warehouse, where they can stop at designated loading bays and collection points. This streamlined setup means customers can pick up their supplies without ever having to step out of their vehicle, making the process incredibly efficient and time-saving.
To facilitate seamless navigation, the branch features a bright blue road painted on the tarmac, guiding customers effortlessly toward the warehouse entrance. This intuitive design ensures smooth traffic flow and minimises confusion, making it easy for tradespeople to access their materials quickly and without unnecessary hassle.
Inside the material organisation has been optimised to enhance accessibility. Essential products, including doors, sheet materials, PSE timber, and plasterboard, are carefully positioned along the Drive-in path. This arrangement allows for quick and convenient loading, reducing the time customers spend searching for key materials.
At the end of the Drive-in experience, a dedicated sales team is available exclusively for customers with Jewson credit accounts. This final step ensures a seamless checkout process, allowing tradespeople to make purchases efficiently and exit the facility without delays.
Opening Hours
The new operational hours of these branches reflects the real-life schedules of trade professionals, with doors opening as early as 6:30 a.m. and then staying open until 6:00 p.m during the week and from 7.30am to midday on Saturday, accommodating the early starts and late finishes that characterise much of the construction sector.
Customer Experience
Beyond the practical, the Farnborough branch is designed with customer convenience and comfort in mind, offering a range of amenities that go beyond traditional builders’ merchants. One of the standout features is the free hot food and barista-quality coffee, available all day. This service ensures that tradespeople can grab a quick bite and a warm drink before heading to their jobs, making early starts more manageable.
For those looking to discuss projects in detail, the branch provides modern meeting rooms that customers can use with their own clients. These spaces offer a professional setting for planning and collaboration, allowing tradespeople to review designs, finalise orders, or simply catch up with their teams in a comfortable environment.
The branch also features technology charging bays, ensuring that customers can keep their devices powered up while they shop or meet with clients. This small but significant detail reflects Jewson’s commitment to supporting tradespeople in every aspect of their workday.
These changes begin to position the merchant as a hub within the local trade community, something that many Irish builders’ merchants already do instinctively, but which could be enhanced with these upgraded facilities.
Digital Integration
From a logistics perspective, the branches are underpinned by real-time inventory systems that allow for better stock visibility and more efficient fulfilment. Digital integration has been a key enabler of these changes. Staff are equipped with tablets with Digital AI Assistants to help customers place orders, check availability, or request quotes instantly on the shop floor.
Customers can use Jewson’s online platform to pre-order products for same-day pickup or delivery. This seamless blend of physical and digital service is becoming increasingly essential, especially as Irish tradespeople grow more comfortable with digital tools and mobile-first ordering platforms.
Listening to their Customers
Crucially, the design of these new branches wasn’t driven solely by corporate architects or supply chain experts, it was co-developed with input from real tradespeople. Every aspect of the design, from the height of the racking to the placement of fast-moving goods, to the provision of food and coffee was informed by how professionals actually work. This deep consultation ensured that the branches are not just modern, but genuinely useful.
Sustainability
As well as offering a range of sustainable products and solutions for their customers,branches feature energy-efficient lighting and heating, with some already prepared for solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations. This aligns with the growing emphasis on reducing carbon impact across the construction industry, particularly in markets like Ireland, where government regulations and public procurement policies are pushing for greener practices across the board.
Conclusion
The new concept branch at Jewson Farnborough is a testament to the evolving landscape of builders’ merchants, where speed, accessibility, and innovation converge to create a superior shopping experience. By integrating these elements, Jewson is setting a new standard for the industry, prioritising the needs of modern tradespeople and redefining what it means to shop for building materials.
As John Carter, CEO of STARK Building Materials UK, put it: “We’re on a mission to become the most trusted builders’ merchant for UK tradespeople, and with our new ‘Branch of the Future’ concept, we have a brilliant opportunity to create something that we believe is truly unique and valuable. These new branches are not just distribution points—they are destinations for the trade community, designed to meet the full spectrum of professional needs”.
For Ireland’s builders’ merchant sector, Jewson’s transformation offers both inspiration and a strategic prompt. Many of the sector’s key challenges, from labour constraints to high customer expectations, the need for local relevance, to the push toward digital integration, mirror those seen in the UK. The response from Jewson and STARK highlights the value of investment, consultation, and design thinking in building branches that are not just fit for purpose but are built for the future.
If the Irish market is to stay competitive and resilient in the years ahead, the learnings and insights from STARK and Jewson could prove invaluable. After all, the future of merchanting isn’t just about selling products, it’s about creating experiences, enabling efficiency, and building trust.
Steve Collinge is an international speaker, influencer, retail commentator and executive editor of Insight DIY. You can follow Steve on LinkedIn and X.
