Currys partners with Accenture and Microsoft as omnichannel retailer looks to accelerate adoption of generative AI

Currys, an omnichannel retailer of technology and electrical products and services, has selected Accenture and Microsoft to deliver its core cloud technology infrastructure that will enable it to leverage the latest AI technologies to enhance operations, elevate the shopping experience, and improve the colleague experience for its 25,000 people.

Accenture and Microsoft, together with their joint venture Avanade, will work with Currys to modernise, secure and simplify its technology estate, enabling Currys to accelerate the adoption of Microsoft AI technologies such as Azure OpenAI Service.

Among the expected benefits:

• Making it easier to shop: Through personalised relevant product information and suggestions tailored to the consumer’s needs in the moment.

• Building customers for life: By providing Currys’ customers with an improved post-sales experience and warranty services.

• Enhance the colleague experience: By equipping colleagues with faster and easier access to information such a product availability, delivery costs and add-on services so they can better serve customers, while also identifying potential cross and upselling opportunities.

• Drive future growth and profitability: Through integrating AI into marketing, HR, finance and legal processes, Currys will benefit from increased productivity across core business functions. The retailer will look to harness AI for opportunities to improve omnichannel experiences.

The transition will also accelerate Currys’ journey to net zero emissions by 2040 by moving nine existing datacentres with more than 2,000 servers and 200 applications onto Azure.

Alex Baldock, Group CEO, Currys, says, “AI is the biggest technological leap of our life time. Currys exists to help everyone enjoy amazing technology, so as well as bringing the benefits of AI to millions of customers, we’ll do the same to our own business.”

“We couldn’t have better partners for this, and together we aim to put Currys at the forefront of digital transformation in retail. We’re just starting out here, but the possibilities are vast. I’m looking forward to unlocking big benefits for our colleagues, customers and shareholders.”

Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO, Accenture, says: “Building a strong digital core will enable Currys to take its customer service and employee experience to the next level, and more quickly harness the potential of AI and generative AI to drive its ongoing reinvention.”

“Together with Microsoft, we are helping Currys raise the bar in the retail industry, reach new frontiers of performance and efficiency, and create new value and growth.”

Ralph Haupter, President, EMEA at Microsoft, says “AI is rapidly unlocking new opportunities for every organisation and every industry around the world.”

“By deploying the latest cloud and AI technologies, Currys can enhance the shopping experience for millions of customers, both in-store and online, whilst ensuring its 25,000 employees have the insights at their fingertips to unlock value across the entire business.”