Market leading DIY retailer B&Q is to spend £35m improving its online business.

The retailer, owned by Kingfisher, said the investment to create an integrated platform, including an m-commerce offer, would “transform customers’ experience of online shopping and greatly enhance the multichannel offer”.

Changes will be introduced over three years and the new platform will be fully operational by 2013.

A mobile transactional site will be launched in the second half of this year, when the number of products available for next day delivery will also be doubled.

B&Q will draw on the experience of Kingfisher stablemate Screwfix, which has already enhanced its digital business.

B&Q and Kingfisher UK chief executive Euan Sutherland said: “This investment will mean that we will finally be able to deliver the multichannel experience to suit our customers’ lifestyles. 

“Our sister company, Screwfix has long delivered this level of service for busy tradesmen on the go and this expertise plus the investment from Kingfisher means that multi-channel home improvement retailing in the UK will become world class.”

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