Page 20 - Jan-Feb 2021 Reporter - web optimized

"In March of 2020 they had 2 members throughout the chain using online and digital platforms
and will have over 100 by the end of spring 2021, with the goal of having all members adapting
to technology by year end."

Jonathan Gendreau - VP Strategy and Network Development & Jason
Hamburger - Business Development Manager, Groupe BMR

digital e-commerce by made available signage and updated
800% prompting their protocols during the lockdown.
members to embrace Developing pandemic and crisis
e-commerce solutions. management policies is a work in
In March of 2020 progress for the head office and
they had 2 members providing support in this important HR
throughout the chain category for their members.
using online and digital Jonathan and Jason are very
platforms and will have optimistic about 2021 once the
over 100 by the end lockdown eases in both provinces.
of spring 2021, with Most of their members are in smaller
the goal of having all communities, many servicing the
members adapting to cottage and tourist industry. They
technology by year end. expect that there will be a demand from
Jonathan points out consumers moving and upgrading and/
that the BMR software or buying cottages which will stimulate
solutions for digital sales in these markets. With pent up
and online business demand for travel and dining out, home
transactions have been renovation projects may soften up
BMR, a Quebec based distributor
and franchise program focused on the developed for independently owned as disposable incomes are streamed
building supply and hardware sector, businesses. towards these sectors.
is making inroads into the Ontario Anticipating that a lockdown would BMR is focused on supporting their
marketplace with 12 BMR franchise be implemented by the Quebec and members and head office employees
locations currently in the Province. Ontario governments, BMR ensured through the difficult times experienced
Jason Hamburger and Jonathan that their digital and e-commerce over the past several months and into
Gendreau have provided some insight on platforms were in place and their 2021. Employee support programs
how BMR and its member retailers have dealer network support systems were and a focus on digital commerce for
adapted to the new reality of the current up and operational. They intentionally members will help transition to the new
lockdown in the province. stopped their flyer program, as it would reality of doing business into 2021 and
As with most of the LBM and have been a challenge for members to beyond.
hardware sector, BMR members fulfill consumer requests, and moved
experienced a significant drop in to e-commerce advertising. They also
sales and consumer demand in early
2020 but then experienced a robust
rebound lasting into the end of the year.
Jonathan expressed his appreciation
of the vendor support during the year
and suggested that BMR distribution
were able to fulfill demands for white
and PT lumber with some disruptions.
Hardlines were the challenging issue
with much of those products sourced
from overseas, primarily China.
Both Jonathan and Jason pointed
out that the demands of business
during the pandemic have driven up

20 LBMAO Reporter - January-February 2021 www.lbmao.on.ca