How MKM Building Supplies Transformed B2B Ecommerce with Headless Commerce

A Legacy Merchant Meets Modern Demands

Founded in 1995, MKM Building Supplies grew into the UK’s most respected independent builders’ merchant, with over 120 branches serving both trade customers and DIY enthusiasts. While their in-store experience was praised for expert advice and rapid service, the online storefront lagged behind. Branch staff even discouraged customers from using the website. Their old site was slow and confusing it frustrated both staff and customers.

Identifying the Disconnect

MKM realized that a disjointed digital journey risked losing a younger, mobile-first audience and eroding loyalty among established clients. The objective was clear: replicate the in-branch expertise and speed online, deliver hyper-personalized experiences, and streamline operations to support long-term growth.

Embracing a MACH-Based Headless Stack

After evaluating their needs, MKM partnered with Brave Bison to pivot to a MACH architecture: microservices, API-first, cloud native SaaS, and headless. They chose BigCommerce for its open, microservices-based core, paired it with Vue Storefront for a fast, flexible front end, and integrated Bloomreach to tailor content and product discovery.

Agile Collaboration Drives Rapid Delivery

Brave Bison worked in daily scrums alongside MKM’s product and creative teams, refining priorities and iterating features. This close collaboration enabled rapid prototyping, seamless data migration, and continuous tuning of basket rules, branch engines, and checkout flows without the limits of a monolithic system.

Measurable Impact in Four Weeks

The results were immediate and striking. Within four weeks post-launch (YoY comparison as of 31 August 2022):

• 75% reduction in average page load speed
• 42% increase in site traffic
• 82% surge in online revenue
• 77% more time spent on pages
• 26% rise in total web orders
• 23% lift in net promoter score

A Unified Ecosystem

Free from monolithic constraints, MKM now enjoys a modular tech stack that can evolve. Branch teams actively promote the site, new accounts are flooding in, and customers appreciate smoother, personalized journeys on every device. By bridging offline and online channels, MKM has set a new standard for B2B commerce.

Looking Ahead

With a solid headless foundation, MKM can focus on richer content, advanced analytics, and deeper customer segmentation. Their next phase includes expanding to new geographies and building custom microservices to support emerging inventory and logistic workflows.