Gophr: UK hardware and DIY retailers improve same-day delivery availability but issues remain

New research from Gophr reveals that same-day delivery adoption across UK hardware and DIY retailers has increased year-on-year, up from 22% to 32%.

The company audited major trade retailers and independent suppliers across the UK, including Toolstation, Travis Perkins and B&Q.

While same-day availability across the sector has improved overall, speed and flexibility remain inconsistent. 46% of retailers offering same-day delivery impose conditions, such as cut-off times, location restrictions or limited product availability, and just 26% of businesses offering same-day delivery can fulfil orders within the hour - a critical window for projects operating on tight schedules.

The study also found a clear divide in delivery capability depending on whether a retailer serves more DIY customers or tradespeople. Only 27% of retailers serving mostly trade customers offer same-day delivery, compared to 50% of DIY-focused retailers, and 44% who serve a mixture of both.

The trend of trade customers being an afterthought persists among those who do offer same-day delivery. Among businesses that mainly service a trade client base, of those that offer same-day delivery, just 13% can deliver within the hour, with the remaining 87% only promising delivery within 24 hours and applying some form of condition. By comparison, 33% of DIY focused retailers and 50% of businesses that service both DIY and trade offer within-the-hour delivery with no extra conditions.

Despite this, all major trade retailers offer Click and Collect, meaning much of the infrastructure required to implement flexible same-day delivery is already in place. By utilising a ship-from-store model and integrating local, multi-drop courier networks, Gophr says that trade retailers could extend existing store level fulfilment to better support time critical projects.

Graham Smith, Strategic Account Director at Gophr, comments: “The growth in same-day delivery adoption shows the sector is moving in the right direction, but the pace of progress is uneven. Businesses servicing DIYers are the ones setting the benchmark, while predominantly trade retailers, whose customers require tools and materials the fastest, are lagging.”

“Same-day delivery only delivers real value when it’s fast and flexible. Conditional or delayed options, even if they’re delivered on the day, can still leave tradespeople stuck on site waiting for materials, which has a direct impact on productivity and profitability.”

“As pressure builds on the industry to deliver projects faster and more efficiently, improving same-day delivery further, particularly for trade customers, will be essential. It’s easier than many think”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Same day delivery will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.