As part of a successful retail hardware store, your building section is the backbone of your operation. For members of the Elite Star Trading (EST) network, stocking the right products and creating a logical store layout can dramatically influence customer satisfaction, basket size, and repeat business.
Whether you’re an EST member optimising your current offering or a prospective retailer considering joining Southern Africa’s largest voluntary buying group, this guide breaks down the must-have product categories, clever layout tips, and value-adding merchandising ideas that turn browsers into loyal customers.
Key Product Categories for the Building Section
A well-stocked building section should cater to both professionals and DIYers.
Here’s a look at the key product categories that should form the core of your building materials section.
- Cement & Aggregates
Your bread and butter. Cement drives foot traffic and is often the first item on a contractor’s list.
- Stock essentials: 42.5N and 32.5N cement, river sand, building sand, stone, crushed gravel, pre-mixed concrete
- Smart tip: Place near the entrance or loading zone. Palletise stock, and keep forklifts or staff on standby during busy hours.
- Bricks & Blocks
A good brick selection can keep local contractors coming back regularly.
- Clay bricks, cement bricks, maxi bricks, hollow blocks, pavers
- Set up a simple wall or display panel showing each type, so customers don’t have to guess.
- Roofing Materials
If you stock it right, your store becomes the go-to for every roof repair or new build.
- Corrugated/IBR sheeting (galvanised and polycarbonate), roof tiles, flashing, ridge caps, barge boards
- Pro tip: Merchandise with roofing nails, washers, and waterproofing nearby for easy grab-and-go sales.
- Timber & Boards
Whether it’s shelving, roof trusses or custom furniture, timber’s always in demand.
- Shutterboard, pine, saligna, plywood, chipboard, MDF
- Store flat and dry, or go vertical to save space. Offer cutting services if you can — customers love it.
- Steel & Reinforcing
Your steel section says “we’re serious about building.”
- Y-bars, mesh, binding wire, angle iron, square tubing
- Keep gloves and safety gear close by for quick cross-sells.
- Plumbing Basics
Even if you’re not a plumbing supplier, you need the essentials for the building phase.
- PVC and HDPE piping, copper pipe, elbows, tees, reducers, valves, connectors
- Think like a builder: place this range close to cement and waterproofing products.
- Electrical Conduit & Accessories
Builders don’t want to stop at another store for conduit — give them what they need.
- Conduit piping, couplers, boxes, trunking, earth rods, cabling
- Add a simple diagram or mini display showing how the products come together in a wall or slab.
- Waterproofing & Damp Proofing
Often forgotten, but absolutely essential for durability.
- Torch-on membranes, bitumen, DPC sheeting, liquid waterproofing
- Merchandising idea: show a cross-section of a slab with DPC and reinforcement included.
- Fasteners & Fixings
The small stuff that holds the big stuff together.
- Screws, bolts, anchors, wall plugs, wire nails, concrete nails
- Divide by application — masonry, timber, roofing — and make it easy to find.
- Adhesives & Sealants
Every builder has that one tube of “fix anything” in the van. Stock it all.
- Wood glue, tile adhesive, silicone, epoxy, contact glue, bonding liquids
- Cross-merchandise next to tiles, boards, and fasteners.
Smart Store Layout: Enhancing the Shopping Journey
A great shopping experience starts with logical, intuitive navigation. Here’s how to lay out your building section for maximum flow and profitability:
- Group by Project, Not Just Product
Consumers think in terms of projects – not product categories. Consider grouping items commonly used together:
- Foundation Zone: Cement, bricks, steel, damp-proofing
- Roofing Zone: Trusses, sheeting, waterproofing, fixings
- Plumbing Zone: Pipes, fittings, tanks, guttering
- Anchor Heavy Goods Near Store Entrance or Yard
Allow for easy loading by positioning bulk items (cement, bricks, sand) near the yard or entrance with flatbed trolleys nearby.
- Cross-Merchandise for Upselling
- Place safety gear (gloves, boots) near timber and cement
- Include tape measures and chalk lines next to boards
- Hang adhesives near tiles and boards
- Use Vertical Space and Clear Signage
- Use tall racking for lightweight products like insulation and display sheeting vertically where possible
- Bright, easy-to-read signs save time for both staff and customers
- Show, Don’t Just Sell
Set up small in-store displays showing a sample installation (e.g. a wall section with DPC, conduits, plaster mesh) to help DIY customers visualise their projects and buy all components.
EST Retailer Advantage: Sourcing Made Simple
Being an EST member means you have access to competitively priced, quality-assured stock from trusted suppliers across all of these building categories. The EST catalogue streamlines sourcing and procurement – freeing you up to focus on customer service and in-store excellence.
Want to expand or refine your building section? EST support includes:
- Preferred supplier pricing
- Category management expertise
- Marketing and promotional support
If you’re not yet a member, now’s the time to explore the benefits of being part of South Africa’s largest voluntary buying group.
FAQs
Q: What are the top 3 things I must stock in a building section?
Cement, bricks, and waterproofing. They form the foundation of most building projects — literally.
Q: I’m tight on space. What do I prioritise?
Focus on high-turn products like cement, sand, and steel. Offer less common items on order — EST can help you fulfil those easily.
Q: Should I carry more than one cement brand?
Yes, if you can. Some customers prefer 42.5N for strength, others go for affordability. Give them the option.
Q: I’m not sure how to set up my aisles. Any help?
Yes! Reach out to your EST rep — we can assist with layout, flow, and even signage to help guide your customers better.
Q: Does EST help with marketing my store?
Absolutely. We offer in-store branding, national campaigns, and seasonal promotions that help drive foot traffic and sales.
Ready to Build a Better Business?
A strong building section does more than increase your turnover – it builds your reputation as a one-stop shop for contractors and homebuilders alike.
For existing EST members, now’s a great time to audit your building section and lean into EST’s full range of support. Not a member yet? Join a network designed to empower independent retailers with better pricing, support, and supplier access.
📞 Call us: +27 11 383 1900
📧 Email: info@estafrica.co.za
🌐 Learn more: www.estafrica.co.za