DIY giant B&Q is to ramp up its multichannel offer this month to increase its share of the £19.5 billion online retail market.

B&Q has rolled out its Reserve & Collect service to a further 10 stores around Birmingham, following a three-store trial last year. It has also launched a parcel delivery service nationwide for larger items, such as power tools, guaranteeing delivery within three days.

B&Q multichannel director Jonathon Brown said: “We’ve spent a lot of time looking at what our customers want and are working to roll out some of the successful trials.”

Next month, B&Q will launch several online services for its environmental programme One Planet Living. Its site will offer customers advice on how to become more environmentally friendly, as well as an eco-calculator, which works out how sustainable shoppers’ homes are.

The site will then point them to the 800 One Planet Living-approved products that are available in stores and online to improve how eco-friendly they are.

“B&Q has a well-established environmental pledge, but our customers also want to know what they can do to help,” said Brown. “The web site allows customers to consider the advice and find out what products they need for their specific houses. They can also see all the products in one place, whereas, in-store, these products are separated by category.”

B&Q is also exploring social networking opportunities on its web site. Brown said: “There is scope for our customers to talk to each other on specific areas, such as gardening or doing up your house, but we have no firm plans yet in this area.”