Jewson joins Homebase in Website offer

Jewson, the UK’s biggest builders’ merchant, is planning to launch a transactional DIY Website in partnership with Sainsbury’s Homebase, as part of plans to widen the appeal of the Jewson brand.

Jewson joint managing director Alan Peacock says the Website is scheduled to launch in October. It could offer both Homebase and Jewson products over the Internet and would mark the first time Sainsbury’s has offered its DIY range on the Web.

Peacock refuses to give details about the venture. He says e-commerce is being considered following last week’s deal between Jewson and Sainsbury’s to open a number of joint stores.

The partnership, which launches with a 100,000sq ft store in Dundee in October, will see Jewson concessions of up to 30,000sq ft of store space offered at a number of trial sites. The concessions, called Jewson at Homebase, will aim to boost cross-selling between the brands.

The move is part of a plan to build the Jewson brand as it seeks to exploit the growing DIY and BIY (Buy-it-yourself) markets.