Currys drafts in Microsoft and Accenture for AI overhaul

Currys is aiming to tap into the latest AI technologies to enhance operations, elevate its customer experience and improve staff experience for its 25,000 people with a new partnership with Accenture and Microsoft.

The two companies, together with their joint venture Avanade, will work closely with Currys to modernise, secure and simplify its technology estate, in a drive to accelerate the retailer’s adoption of Microsoft AI technologies such as Azure OpenAI Service.

By implementing these AI technologies, Currys aims to unlock value across every part of the business, including making it easier to shop through personalised relevant product information and suggestions tailored to the consumer’s needs “in the moment”.

It also wants to building customers “for life” by providing them with an improved post-sales experience and warranty services.

Meanwhile, it will equip staff 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.

The ultimate aim is to drive future growth and profitability through integrating AI into marketing, HR, finance and legal processes, boosting productivity across core business functions. The retailer will also look to harness AI for opportunities to improve omnichannel experiences.

The transition is also designed to accelerate Currys’ quest to net zero emissions by 2040 by moving nine existing data centres with more than 2,000 servers and 200 applications onto Azure to create a more energy-efficient infrastructure.

Currys group CEO Alex Baldock said: “AI is the biggest technological leap of our lifetime. 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.”