FOODSTUFFS SOUTH ISLAND will be investing in a range of technologies around big data/business intelligence and analytics, cloud services, customer experience, security/risk management and supply chain over the next 12 months.

Foodstuffs South Island brands include PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square Supermarkets, Raeward Fresh, Henry’s Beer Wine and Spirits, On the Spot convenience stores and Trents.

Phil Wright, general manager IT, says there will also be an increase in ICT budgets and staff numbers as Foodstuffs South Island work on a raft of projects that include further enhancement of its customer relationship management system, implementation of the SAP/HANA, and produce management system.

The ICT team will also be working on national product data alignment and CRM with sister company Foodstuffs North Island. Whilst the two organisations are separate companies that operate independently, they work together where it makes sense on IT initiatives.

Wright says the successful rollout and uptake of the New World Club Card was one of the major contributions the ICT team made to the business in the past year. The loyalty programme for New World customers was launched initially in the South Island stores during 2014.

“The other major initiative has been implementing advanced replenishment into our supply chain to complement the similar functionality that we have at retail stores,” says Wright. “Advanced replenishment has been a significant business process change across our organisation, delivering significant benefits through improving supply chain efficiency and having the right inventory at the right time in stores.”

Wright says the team will also be deploying Skype for Business, which will enhance communication and collaboration among the 9000-strong staff.