Matalan moves forward with digital roadmap as it partners with The Hut Group’s Ingenuity platform
Value retailer Matalan has announced that it has successfully completed phase one of its digital transformation programme as it looks ahead to migrating to fellow retailer The Hut Group’s Ingenuity platform in 2022.
Matalan said the move will result in significant improvements including increases in product availability and choice, the ability to see store stock online, enhanced personalisation and a faster and scalable ecommerce operation. Customers will also benefit from significantly improved customer service online including live chat and faster response times.
In addition, the company expects the partnership to offer mid-to-long term opportunities to drive efficiency and customer experience improvements across its wider business.
Phase one of the roadmap has seen Matalan accelerate its capacity to service online demand through warehouse automation and a nationwide fulfil-from-store strategy.
James Brown, chief commercial officer at Matalan, said: “There’s an incredible sense of energy around the business as we gear up our digital transformation and prepare for the next pivotal phase in Matalan’s growth journey. Our teams have been working hard through this extraordinary period in retail to make sure that we achieve our exciting growth ambitions and meet significant customer demand in the years ahead.
“Millions of families up and down the UK rely on us to offer great quality and value fashion and homeware, but we know that ultimately, it’s the customer experience that can make the real difference when choosing where to shop. That’s why we are dedicating so much of our focus to future-proofing our proposition through this digital transformation programme, across our stores, ecommerce site and Matalan app.”
Matalan’s in-house team will collaborate closely with THG Ingenuity to develop new bespoke solutions whilst maintaining day-to-day ownership of the end-to-end process
Brown added: “We are thrilled to have identified THG Ingenuity as a great partner who have impressed us with their extensive expertise, innovation and capabilities to accelerate the transformation of our business over the long-term, so that we can continue delivering ‘the Matalan Difference’.”
John Gallemore, chief executive of THG Ingenuity, said: “We’re delighted to announce this new strategic partnership, which will significantly accelerate Matalan’s digital transformation strategy and represents a step-change in its direct-to-consumer operation. The brand is a trusted household name, with great heritage and considerable growth across ecommerce, making it an exciting client with huge potential.”
