Find Your
04 Mar 2025
Against the backdrop of a gloomy and difficult 2024, the mindset of many independent merchants has been ‘just stay alive ‘til 25’. But look closer, and we see there are examples of local and specialist merchants demonstrating aspects of business best practice and excellence that are giving them superpowers to thrive in uncertain times.
Who are these superheroes, and what are those powers? And what can the rest of the market learn from their experience?
All will be revealed this year in a campaign being developed by NMBS, the UK’s leading buying society for independent merchants, as it highlights merchants who have the best examples of what the merchanting industry can do to smash commercial success, growth and competitive advantage in 2025.
Through profile-building case studies and social media campaigns, NMBS will celebrate the expertise in our sector and share tips and insights into how to develop new business opportunities in the year ahead.
Chris Hayward, NMBS CEO, says: “By sharing the knowledge and examples of our industry’s superheroes, it will allow our members to learn from each other and implement new processes in their own business. This collaboration is critical to independents continuing to have a competitive edge against national merchants for years to come.
“Over the last few years, we have seen changes in customers’ requirements and buying behaviours. We increasingly see customers moving away from phone calls and in-person visits to more digitalised communication methods, like WhatsApp messages, online shop fronts and Deliveroo-style delivery services. Customers are also becoming more aware of the sustainability impact of their purchases, which is changing the products many merchants are stocking and how they are bundled and promoted. Digitalisation is also transforming so much of our business processes, and the use of AI is set to explode.
“New recruits and younger generations entering the merchanting market also want and expect different styles of management, mentoring and development. To keep this talent in the sector, some independent merchants are finding new employment models and practices that are proving to be very successful.
“These changes, and more, are what we need to notice and learn from. It’s the right time to really celebrate the superheroes in our industry, to promote their businesses as beacons of excellence, and see how they are changing our industry.”
NMBS is the largest buying society in the UK for independent merchants, supporting more than 1,250 independents across 5,000 plus branches, covering the full range of independent builders, plumbing and heating, hardware, tool and timber merchants. It promotes access to brand-leading suppliers, exclusive discounts and rebates, e-invoicing and reduced administration costs, and a range of events and marketing support.
If you would like to take part in this campaign, sharing an example of innovation or successful business practice in merchanting, no matter how large or small, please email nicola.coventry@nmbs.co.uk to find out more.