During May, the group’s digital upgrade was delivered across the group. 

The Scottish independent builders’ merchant, St Andrews, provides goods ranging from gloves and nails to plasterboard and insulation online. The most popular goods have been fencing, decking and related landscaping materials. 

There are more than 1000 products which are available for collection. 

Additionally, deliveries can be carried out throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians, Fife, Stirlingshire as well as Lanarkshire.

Kerrie Ferguson, operations director, said: “We had to modernise our operations and move with the times given that so many transactions are now done online.

“It was the sensible thing for us to do across the group.

“There has been a noticeable downturn in the cross-the-counter purchases, with fewer DIYers actually coming into buy, and I think that’s a sign of people having less disposable income.”

Ferguson added: “Establishing a new ecommerce site, particularly our first one, was always going to be a slow burn but it’s been pleasing to see the uplift so far. 

“The site is very user-friendly, easily navigated and the customers have been giving us some very positive feedback.”