Primark develops global POS strategy and selects providers leveraging PMC’s consultancy expertise

Expert Consultancy

PMC experts leverage their deep domain expertise and hundreds of years of collective experience in retail technology.

Independent Approach

PMC’s vendor agnostic stance results in retailers being presented with the best options for them.

Systematic Framework

Consistent auditable and clear scoring achieved through PMC’s comprehensive framework and evaluation Matrix.

Challenge

Consulting on a global POS strategy and solution providers

High street fashion retailer Primark required a worldwide Point of Sale (ePOS) strategy and suitable solution providers that would work across existing and prospective global markets, starting initially with the US.

The solution had to meet certain specific evaluation criteria which included being tried and tested in market at volume and scale, having architectural longevity, and supporting self-checkout.

Primark approached PMC to provide consultancy, recognising the company’s deep domain knowledge of the retail sector - particularly the technology and services vendor market - and its independence which results in retailers being given options in their best interests.

As noted by a Primark representative, “Primark engaged PMC for consultancy because of their deep retail domain expertise. We see them as best in class in this space, with consultants who have walked the walk and aren’t just theorists.”

Solution

Three-stage approach, market review, Global ePOS strategy definition and RFP selection process and consultancy

PMC’s consultancy solution had three phases, the first being to complete a market review of the POS application and Support Services vendor landscape in the US. This leveraged the PMC consultancy team’s extensive knowledge and gave Primark an assessment of the future direction of retail POS applications, covering traditional, new disruptive providers and Build options. The consultants provided a report of the pros and cons relative to the needs of Primark based on a detailed functional and technical evaluation, as well as suitability of the solution for other markets enabling Primark to make an informed decision on the vendors to include in the selection process.

PMC then provided executive level consultancy to support Primark in mapping out a high-level global POS strategy and supporting the leadership team to secure board sign-off on the approach.

Once Primark had decided on the shortlist the second stage was to initiate, then execute the RFP process using PMC’s RFP process framework. This involved gathering requirements, drafting the RFP documents, briefing the vendors, collating the responses to enable the Primark stakeholders to evaluate and score the vendor responses to determine which vendors would go through the final stage of selection.

Following execution of the final selection process and subsequent selection of the preferred vendor, PMC supported the business case submission prior to the project delivery phase starting. PMC went onto support the transition and go-live of new service providers for Help Desk Store builds and Field Services ahead of the new application go-live.

Outcome

Global POS sign-off with value-added consultancy

PMC’s expert consultancy enabled Primark to define and gain sign-off for its Global POS strategy and select a new POS solution for the US. Now in pilot delivery phase with its new application solution provider, the retailer is using the US model as a blueprint for the rest of the world.

By leveraging the wider service team, working in tandem with the consultants, PMC has added value to the engagement. For example, this approach has helped to transition field services, help desk and store builds to new providers in less than 12 months.

In addition, PMC’s consultancy proposals get peer-reviewed internally, with PMC architectural experts, support personnel, and project delivery, adding their specific domain expertise. All these factors mark PMC out as a value-added consultancy that willingly goes the extra mile for its customers.

PMC were able to mobilise a dedicated, experienced team that designed and delivered an extensive service in a challenging timeline, with no compromise on quality or outcome.

Primark representative

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