Asda hits major milestone as Project Future sees food depots migrate to new SAP platform

Asda reports significant progress delivering Project Future - pitched as Europe’s largest systems implementation programme - which involves the separation of more than 2,500 systems from former owner Walmart and aims to lay the technological foundations for the grocery giant’s future growth.

A recent milestone involved the retailer’s food depots.

In a LinkedIn post, Gemma McFarlane, Head of Portfolio - Supply Chain Systems at Asda, said: “After years of planning, problem solving, pivoting (and plenty of coffee), the Future Programme officially hit a major milestone last month.”

“We’ve successfully migrated integrations for 21 Food Depots from Walmart to our new SAP platform. The pace? Depot 1: October. Depot 2: January. Depot 3: April…then we hit full throttle and delivered 19 depots in just 15 weeks, including three in three days, which must be an industry first.”

Asda also converted the WMS of its electrical returns centre to Manhattan Active and integrated it to SAP, and did the same with the WMS of its general merchandise import centre.

McFarlane said: “Delivering change on Future is… well, unique. As Dean Jackson (Programme Director at Asda) said, it’ll be like changing an airplane engine mid-flight - and I’d add, during turbulence, while the rest of the aircraft is being upgraded too.”

“It’s complex, high paced, and relentless. But also a huge learning experience, showing us what’s possible when we challenge our thinking. It was exhilarating, purposeful, rewarding - and yes, a lot of the time, it was fun too. I’ve had the privilege of leading this as Programme Manager, supported by the most hard working, talented, and dedicated team I could ask for. You made the impossible feel achievable. Delivery like this doesn’t just take incredible teamwork - it takes individual brilliance. And you blew me away every single day. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Grocery retail will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now open for entries, 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.