Electrical Wholesalers Market Report – UK 2024-2028
Available as an Instant Download PDF
The 18th edition of the Electrical Wholesalers Market Report UK 2024-2028 represents an informed and up to date review of the overall electrical wholesalers market, major product categories, market trends, forecast and more. The report analyses the current state of the electrical wholesalers’ market and provides an assessment of market prospects.
£1,699.00 Exc. VAT
The UK Electrical Wholesalers Market Report 2024-2028 offers a comprehensive analysis of an industry fundamental to the country’s construction, retail, and electrical contracting sectors.
Valued at £4.28 billion in 2024, the market is driven by the dual forces of digital transformation and sustainability, with wholesalers expanding into e-commerce channels and offering low-carbon and energy-efficient products to meet regulatory demands. Covering both national players and regional operators, this report provides an in-depth look at market structure, key trends, and product category insights.
Core product sectors analysed include electrical accessories, lighting, built-in appliances, security systems, renewable energy solutions, and electric heating products. Each category is shaped by economic factors such as raw material costs and labour shortages, as well as regulatory influences, including fire safety legislation and net zero initiatives.
Additionally, the report explores the challenges and opportunities posed by e-commerce and omni-channel approaches as wholesalers look to maintain a competitive edge. Electrical wholesalers have evolved beyond traditional distribution, now providing value-added services such as advisory training, and technical support to meet the specialised needs of their clients.
Key drivers in the market include increased demand for energy-efficient and low-carbon products, spurred by sustainability regulations and net zero targets.
Although the industry faces challenges such as skilled labor shortages, rising raw material costs, and competition from e-commerce and direct sales channels, electrical wholesalers are adapting through digital transformation, expanding product portfolios, and leveraging buying groups for competitive pricing. As the construction sector continues to recover and demand for sustainable solutions rises, the electrical wholesalers market remains positioned for steady growth and innovation.
Key Issues Covered in the Report
- Analysis of the sector’s structure, identifying key players in both national and regional markets.
- Market share of major companies, including leading operators like Edmundson Electrical, Rexel UK, and City Electrical Factors, as well as the role of independent wholesalers.
- The impact of buying groups on market competitiveness, supporting smaller and medium-sized operators.
- Detailed examination of core product sectors: electrical accessories, lighting, built-in appliances, security and fire protection systems, renewable energy solutions, and electric heating products.
- Emerging demand for low-carbon and energy-efficient products influenced by sustainability goals and regulatory changes.
- The influence of UK economic conditions, including consumer spending, mortgage rates, and construction activity, on the electrical wholesaling sector.
- Analysis of key factors such as inflation, supply chain challenges, and rising costs of materials, especially metals like copper.
- Overview of new regulations aimed at achieving net zero targets, affecting demand for energy-efficient and low-carbon products.
- The implications of updated fire safety legislation and building regulations on the electrical wholesaling industry.
- Growth in e-commerce channels and omni-channel approaches as wholesalers adapt to online consumer demand.
- Innovations in digital catalogues and logistics, with wholesalers increasingly adopting AI and automation for inventory management and customer service.
- Key growth areas identified, including renewable energy solutions, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and smart home technology.
- Prospects for regional expansion, particularly in urban centers, and opportunities within non-residential sectors like commercial offices and infrastructure projects.
- The shift toward customer-centric approaches, with wholesalers offering advisory training, and technical support to meet specialised client needs.
- Role of wholesalers as solution providers for contractors and end-users, supporting sectors like electric heating, lighting, and security systems.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Background
- 1.2 Sources of Information
- 1.3 Market Definition
- 1.4 Abbreviations
2. MARKET SUMMARY
- 2.1 Market Size
- 2.2 Market Overview
- 2.3 Market Trends
3. MARKET INFLUENCES
- 3.1 PESTLE Analysis
- 3.2 Construction Output
- 3.3 Electricity Generation and Demand
- 3.4 Imports & Pricing
- 3.5 Legislation and Standards
- 3.6 Online Trading
- 3.7 Product Developments
4. END USE SECTORS
- 4.1 Overview
- 4.2 Electrical Contractors
- 4.3 Facilities Management Companies
- 4.4 Panel Builders/OEMs
- 4.5 In-House Electrical Engineers
- 4.6 Other Sectors
5. MARKET SUB-SECTORS
- 5.1 Product Mix
- 5.2 Product Sectors
- 5.2.1 Electrical Accessories
- 5.2.2 Lighting
- 5.2.3 Security and Fire Protection Systems
- 5.2.4 Built-In-Appliances
- 5.2.5 Electric Heating Products
- 5.2.6 Other Products
6. REGIONAL ANALYSIS
- 6.1 Regional Construction Trends
- 6.2 Regional Segmentation of Electrical Wholesalers
7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 7.1 Overview
- 7.2 Market Shares
- 7.3 Company Profiles
8. MARKET FORECASTS
- 8.1 Market Prospects
- 8.2 10-Year Market Overview
- 8.3 Forecasts by Sub-Sector
- 8.3.1 Electrical Accessories
- 8.3.2 Lighting
- 8.3.3 Security and Fire Protection Systems
- 8.3.4 Built-In-Appliances
- 8.3.5 Electric Heating Products
- 8.3.6 Other Products
9. MARKET DYNAMICS
- 9.1 SWOT Analysis
- 9.2 Profitability
- 9.3 Pricing and Prices
- 9.4 Electrical Wholesalers’ Competitors
Economic Conditions and Construction Activity
The performance of the electrical wholesaler’s market is closely tied to the UK’s economic climate and construction output. Key economic factors such as interest rates, inflation, consumer spending, and mortgage rates influence construction demand, impacting wholesalers’ sales across residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors.
Housebuilding and RMI (repair, maintenance, and improvement) projects are primary drivers for electrical product demand, with increased government support for affordable housing and retrofitting initiatives expected to stimulate sector growth.
Sustainability Goals and Regulatory Changes
The push for net zero and energy efficiency targets has significantly influenced product demand, with rising interest in low-carbon and renewable energy solutions such as LED lighting, heat pumps, and solar panels. This shift is driven by regulatory changes aimed at reducing emissions, which encourage adoption of eco-friendly products and create new opportunities for wholesalers.
Enhanced fire safety legislation following the Grenfell Tower tragedy has also boosted demand for fire protection systems, impacting wholesalers’ portfolios and offerings in safety-compliant products.
Digital Transformation and E-commerce Expansion
Digital channels are becoming increasingly vital as wholesalers compete with online retailers and direct sales from manufacturers. The adoption of e-commerce, omni-channel models, and digital catalogues allows wholesalers to reach a broader customer base and adapt to changing buying behaviours.
Innovations in logistics and inventory management
Often through AI and automation, are streamlining operations and helping wholesalers maintain competitive service levels amidst rising expectations for convenience and accessibility.
Labour Shortages and Skills Development
The industry faces a shortage of skilled labour, affecting both wholesaling and contracting sectors. The availability of skilled workers is a key factor, as it impacts project timelines, product demand, and customer service levels. Recent government reforms in apprenticeships and skills training aim to address this gap, potentially easing labour constraints over the coming years.
Product Innovation and Technological Advancements
Technological developments in smart home and building automation, such as IoT-enabled devices and cloud-based systems, are driving demand for specialised electrical products. Electrical wholesalers are increasingly offering smart security, lighting, and energy management solutions to meet evolving customer needs in both residential and commercial sectors.
The following sections cover the product categories included in the report as well as regional distribution channel analysis.
Product category
Electrical Accessories
Accounting for the largest share of the market, electrical accessories include items such as switches, sockets, circuit breakers, and wiring devices. These products are essential for both new builds and maintenance projects, making them core offerings for wholesalers across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Lighting Products
Lighting is a major product category, driven by demand for energy-efficient solutions like LED lighting and smart lighting systems. These products are widely used in residential, commercial, and public infrastructure projects, with increased demand due to energy efficiency regulations and the growing trend toward smart building technology.
Security and Fire Protection Systems
This category includes alarm systems, surveillance cameras, smoke detectors, and other safety devices. Recent regulatory changes, particularly post-Grenfell, have amplified demand for fire protection and security systems in both residential and non-residential buildings, making this a significant growth area for wholesalers.
Built-In Appliances
Built-in appliances, such as ventilation systems, extractors, and small electrical appliances, form another essential category. Demand for these products is strong in the residential market, especially for renovation and refurbishment projects, and is influenced by consumer preferences for integrated home solutions.
Renewable Energy Products
Renewable energy solutions like solar panels, inverters, and energy storage systems are gaining traction as net zero and sustainability targets shape the construction and refurbishment sectors. These products cater to both residential and commercial markets, driven by incentives for eco-friendly and energy-efficient solutions.
Electric Heating Products
Electric heating, including products like radiators, underfloor heating, and water heating systems, is growing in demand as an alternative to traditional heating solutions. This demand is influenced by the push towards low-carbon solutions, especially in areas where natural gas heating is being phased out.
Ventilation and HVAC Equipment
Ventilation and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) products are vital in commercial, residential, and industrial applications. Products in this category support energy-efficient climate control and air quality solutions, which are becoming more prominent due to stricter building regulations and environmental standards.
Smart Technology and IoT Devices
With the rise of smart homes and buildings, wholesalers are increasingly offering IoT-enabled products like smart thermostats, automated lighting, and remote security systems. These products cater to tech-savvy consumers and commercial clients who value connectivity, automation, and energy savings.
Regional Distribution Channel Analysis
The UK electrical wholesalers market exhibits a varied regional distribution, with the highest concentration of wholesalers in urban centres where construction activity is most pronounced.
England, and particularly cities like London, Birmingham, and Liverpool, sees a dense presence of electrical wholesalers due to ongoing large-scale construction projects, higher population density, and substantial demand for both residential and commercial developments.
This urban concentration supports a large customer base, including contractors, installers, and facilities management companies, creating sustained demand for electrical products and value-added services.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have smaller, more regionally focused electrical wholesalers, which cater to local markets with a mix of national and independent operators. These regions experience demand driven by infrastructure projects and, increasingly, renewable energy installations, aligning with local government initiatives for energy efficiency and green building solutions.
Rural and suburban areas tend to have fewer wholesalers, but smaller regional players fill gaps in distribution, often supported by buying groups to maintain competitive pricing and supply consistency.
The regional distribution of electrical wholesalers reflects the broader trends in UK construction and infrastructure, with concentrated growth opportunities in urban and high-demand areas and gradual expansion in other regions supported by a shift towards e-commerce and omni-channel models.
Paired Report Discount
Save £250 for every two reports you buy
Discount applied in basket
Frequently bought together
Trusted by industry leaders
For more detailed requests speak to our research experts directly
Research you can depend on
Our reports go deeper to give you the insights needed to make your next strategic move.
- Detailed assessment of the market – analysis of the market structure and recent developments within the market.
- Market prospects up to 4 years – market value, opportunities, impact of Covid-19, Brexit etc.
- Detailed information – market size, influences, market factors and key players.
- Analysis by product group – market size, product mix, sector trends etc.
