Yet the major challenges they constantly face are meeting an ever-increasing demand full of complexity.
Among these challenges, we can highlight the need for innovation and the introduction of new technologies that can make the building materials segment increasingly efficient and sustainable.
5 Trends in the building materials segment
The future of the building materials segment is not as far off as we can imagine. It is already present in the day-to-day life of retailers, but it looks set to proliferate in the coming years.
We are talking about concrete trends that not only take into account the new needs of the building materials sector but also the demands of a society that is increasingly adapted to technology and the challenge of becoming more sustainable.
So let's put the mystery aside and talk about the 5 main trends that will shape the future of the building materials segment.
Sustainability
We couldn't help but start with it: sustainability. Undoubtedly, one of the most important emergencies of our time, sustainability is an undeniable trend in the building materials segment.
Through ecological construction and the use of sustainable building materials, the area has intensified efforts in the search for renovation. And no less. According to the International Energy Agency, buildings - projects that require a lot of effort from the building materials segment - are responsible for 30% of global energy consumption and 26% of energy-related carbon emissions.
In a scenario where the need for CO2 reduction is truly urgent - and it has already been established for the sector to adapt to the Zero Carbon effort in 2030 - understandably, the adoption of environmentally efficient building materials and sustainable construction practices is on the way. The increase in the coming years.
Innovation in building materials
Following the flow of sustainability, innovation also comes with great potential in the field of building materials.
The use of advanced materials, such as high-performance cementitious composites, and the insertion of new technologies into the sector's production methods, promise to lift building materials to a level of better performance with less impact on the planet.
Augmented reality
From now on, construction projects tend to become more and more precise and immersive, as augmented reality has become a valuable tool in everyday life in countless professional fields.
Through technologies such as Construction Information Modeling and construction management software, the market is now able to develop with much more speed and efficiency, requiring retailers working in the building materials segment to adapt to this scenario much faster.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence goes far beyond ChatGPT. Truth be told, it is already a reality in almost all trades, including the building materials segment. With the advent of artificial intelligence and above all with the imminent boom of Industry 4.0, the sector will undergo a true revolution.
What is expected (and which to some extent has already begun) is greater integration between new technologies and industrial practices in the segment, resulting in an optimization of construction processes, retail management, and primarily the quality of building materials available on the market.
Omnichannel strategy
If until now we have brought broad elements, directly related to trends that transcend the building materials segment, we will now close with a trend that indicates a strong presence in retail: omnichannel strategies.
Today, we already know to a great extent the importance of the digital universe for retail. Yet the physical environment remains extremely important, both for business owners and consumers. This is why the omnichannel concept is so relevant.
With an omnichannel strategy, companies will be able to offer an integrated and solid shopping experience across the most diverse channels that move between online and offline. Being present in both areas is fundamental to any retailer's success in the building materials segment and will be crucial in the future. After all, strategies based on omnichannel positioning have the value of customer experience as a central characteristic. This, when done correctly, ends up significantly increasing sales and boosting your business.
Building materials segment: the future is being made now!
We conclude this article and reinforce something that has already been said throughout the reading: the future of the building materials segment has already begun. Sustainable urgencies, the explosion of artificial intelligence the concept of augmented reality and even the use of omnichannel strategies are already out there, making a difference to those who foresee the moment of greater consolidation.
If your business has not yet adapted to trends, you should know that you need to start thinking about change. But don't worry, there is time. The important thing is to start.
