Shop Direct launches new London tech hub
Shop Direct, the owner of Very.co.uk and Littlewoods.com, has opened a new tech and IT hub in London’s Buckingham Palace Road.
The office, known as Sky Victoria, will be home to staff working across data science, IT, ecommerce, product and brand.
Spanning 25,000 square feet, the space has been designed by interiors firm SpaceInvader Design to reflect Shop Direct’s focus on m-commerce, personalisation and the company’s shift towards agile working practices.
The hub includes a range of different collaboration spaces, product showrooms, wireless technology and a tree-lined catwalk. It will also house up to 250 team members who will comprise a mix of new hires and existing staff, some of whom will split their time between London and the company’s head office in Liverpool.
The space also features a nod to the digital pureplay retailer’s history, with a heritage wall featuring images of past Littlewoods catalogues, digital screens displaying real-time performance data and analysis, and relaxation spaces, including day beds and a games area.
The company said the London hub will play an important role in delivering some of its main growth initiatives. These include investment in advanced analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, the continued development of advanced IT capabilities, and the expansion of its brand roster and recently launched own label, V by Very.
