UK retailer Kingfisher ramps up TCS technology partnership to drive AI powered transformation

Tata Consultancy Services has extended its 15-year partnership with Kingfisher, a home improvement retailer with over 1,900 stores across seven countries in the UK and Europe.

Under the new agreement, TCS will help Kingfisher to enhance operational efficiency by deploying automation and artificial intelligence (AI). The pair will establish a joint ‘Innovation and Automation Office’ to integrate emerging technologies and practices, while also reducing operating costs. 

TCS will introduce a domain focused application support structure aligned with Kingfisher’s product and platform approach. It will accelerate the use of automation and AI in IT operations by building on ignio, its SaaS-based AIOps platform, along with its generative AI powered Application Reliability Engineering solution.

These technologies will provide actionable insights and enable predictive and proactive management of IT systems for the retailer.

Dave Haycocks, IT Services Director, Kingfisher, says: “We are delighted to double down on our commitment with our longstanding partner TCS to drive a more agile and efficient IT operation, to grow our business and help our customers and trade professionals build better homes.” 

Shekar Krishnan, Business Unit Head, Retail UK and Europe, TCS, says: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Kingfisher in the mission to drive more agile, efficient and future ready operations. With the combinational power of AI, automation and our deep contextual knowledge, we will help Kingfisher innovate faster, deliver superior customer experience, and drive strategic growth.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

AI and automation will be key focus areas at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now closed for entries with our finalists and shortlists being announced last week, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.