Builders Warehouse

Builders Warehouse (commonly referred to as Builders in South Africa), is a South African construction equipment and home improvement retail chain.[5]

Founded in 2003,[1] it is a wholly owned subsidiary of holding company Massmart (and is ultimately owned by US-based retailer Walmart), which, through its Massbuild division, operates various kinds of stores, including Builders Warehouse, Builders Express (small-format stores), Builders Trade Depot (focused specifically on construction entrepreneurs), and Builders Superstore.[6][3][7]

History

Massmart began its acquisitions of the Builders brand when it acquired five Builders Warehouse stores operating in Johannesburg and Pretoria, in 2003.[8]

In May 2011, retail corporation Walmart acquired 51% of parent company Massmart Group's stock, at a value of R17 million (approximately US$2.54 billion or £1.54 billion), after receiving regulatory approval from the South African Competition Tribunal. By November 2020, Walmart had finalized the purchase of the remaining 49% of shares, making Massmart a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart.[9]

In 2017, the company revealed its first store that is in part powered by renewable energy. Located in Northriding, Johannesburg, the store uses 400 roof-mounted photovoltaic panels to provide 16% of its annual energy consumption. According to Massmart Group's sustainability manager Alex Haw, serves to reduce the company's greenhouse gas emissions.[10]

In 2019, Builders Warehouse revealed a new store prototype in Boksburg, Gauteng, offering, among other things, 3D printing; flatpack furniture; and a smart home hub for digital, in-store shopping and retrieving product information. The store was to serve as a benchmark for all future new store builds and renovations.[11]

Operations

Builders Warehouse operates 117[4] stores in 4 countries across Southern and East Africa; South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia.[12] It also provides an online shopping service.[13]

Some Builders Warehouse stores offer services such as tool hire, pool water analysis, and car key programming, and have partnered with local coffee chain Vida e Caffè.[14][11]