Stating that the sector had been slow to adapt to new technology because it was perceived as a sector where operators preferred a personal service, Nicholas Weber, head of e-commerce at 3663 reports that the sector is belatedly growing its offer via the Internet.

Although it had been considered that there was no demand, a newer generation which is comfortable with computers now expects to be able to do business online, even from phones. Weber also commented that business to business web sites are becoming much easier to use, with companies having learned from the functionality provided by business to consumer shopping sites. Weber also warned of new competition entering the sector from Asda and Amazon, for example.