Specsavers brings in Fujitsu for digital transformation project across its 1,179 stores in £17.6m deal

Retailer aims to make better use of data to improve the customer experience

Specsavers has brought-in IT services giant Fujitsu to help in a digital transformation project across its 1,179 stores in the UK and Europe as it looks to improve the customer experience, and give its employees better technologies to work with.

The company, which operates in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway, wants to make better use of the customer data it has at its disposal, and to use it to give its employees more information so that they can improve the service they give to customers.

Fujitsu claimed that the new services, which will cost Specsavers £17.6m to implement, will help to bring new optical services to market more quickly, as well as reducing the cost of delivery. The vendor said it has taken into account the importance of data protection when putting together the services for Specsavers.

"Fujitsu is a great partner in helping us with our international journey owing to its extensive global retail capabilities and consulting expertise," said Phil Pavitt, global CIO at Specsavers.

"We are more than just about selling glasses; we want to change lives for the better. To do that we need to continuously adapt how we best serve customers. With Fujitsu, we are excited to be partnering with a company that shares our passion for putting the customer first."

Pavitt has been working on digitally transformation at Specsavers as a business for the past few years. In 2015, he explained how the company has installed an iPad-based system that lets people measure their pupils and the glasses they like to ensure that they fit.

However, earlier this year, Pavitt announced that he would be moving on from his role at Specsavers this summer after three years at the company.

Pavitt disclosed the news in a LinkedIn post, revealing that he would leave the company at the end of June this year.

The message read: "Today, John Perkins (joint CEO) and I have announced that I will be leaving Specsavers at the end June 2017.

"An incredible amount has been achieved and the revolution has now been turned into a funded activity plan globally led by a new, strong technology leadership team.

"This being the case, John and I agree that now is the right time to put in place the leadership that will build on this strong platform, and focus on execution and rolling out of our plans. It has been a fantastic experience for me and now it's time for the next and probably final chapter!"

Computing's IT Leaders Forum 2017 is coming on 24 May 2017.

The theme this year is "Going Digital: Why your most difficult customer is your best friend".

Attendence is free, but strictly limited to IT Leaders. To find out more and to apply for your place, check out the IT Leaders Forum website.