Oxfam logo

Technology roll out aids Oxfam UK Retail Operation

Oxfam’s retail operation has been benefitting from the latest in business intelligence solutions following the rollout of a substantial technology contract to support the organisation’s full portfolio of UK shops. This significant deal sees leading business intelligence solutions developer and IT support provider PXtech teaming up with one of the UK’s primary EPoS software providers, ICRTouch, to deliver industry-leading hardware and enterprise software solutions across Oxfam’s estate of 690 shops.

Oxfam staff member talking to a customer
Oxfam charity shop shelves

The partnership will provide Oxfam with an enhanced EPoS solution to optimise cost efficiency and maximise sales potential throughout its shop network, with a potential uplift in income as a result of the technology’s rollout. The new system will integrate with Oxfam’s corporate warehousing and business intelligence solution and will be tailored to suit the charity’s specific needs. These include supporting Oxfam’s policy of inclusivity by providing a range of specialised facilities to guarantee the best retail experience for all shop staff. The look and feel of the new EPoS system will focus strongly on enhancing the ‘volunteer experience’, incorporating key elements for the visually impaired, such as colours, font size and button size. In addition to managing the installation of Oxfam’s new hardware system, PXtech will use key components of the ICRTouchWeb software suite to control and manage the information between Oxfam’s corporate solutions and in-store EPoS systems. A raft of PXtech specialist field engineers will manage the rollout with the company also providing ongoing solutions support, including a help desk and dedicated onsite service offering.

The deal follows the success of an established working relationship between Oxfam and PXtech, when PXtech was taken on to support the charity’s existing estate of cash registers. Andrew Horton, Oxfam’s trading director, said: “The implementation of this system marks an exciting new chapter for Oxfam shops, providing our staff and volunteers with the tools and support they need to drive sales. We’re focused on reducing costs and increasing charitable contributions by improving our operations across our trading division, and we can clearly see the value this solution will bring to the business. “Our shops are run by a dedicated volunteer base and this new suite of tailored software solutions will empower each of them to maximise their individual shop’s income. The user flexibility afforded by the new system’s specialised features is especially important in ensuring that our values of inclusivity are upheld at every stage of the business.” Richard Dorf, Managing Director at PXtech, said: “We are pleased to be building on the highly successful working relationship that we enjoy with Oxfam and this latest partnership marks an important stage for the business as we expand our support of retail clients.“We put an enormous amount of development time into our retail IT solutions, tailoring them to ensure they offer optimum value to our customers and we are eager to bring this expertise to Oxfam. We anticipate that through the implementation of this tailored hard and software, Oxfam will benefit from an uplift in income, and look forward to helping the organisation maximise its retail operation potential.” ICRTouch CEO Colin Ringer said: “We have enjoyed a successful relationship with PXtech over many years and this exciting new deal enables us to deliver our cutting-edge solutions and make a difference in Oxfam shops across the country. We’re dedicated to offering our customers the very best in tailored solutions and services, and this new collaboration underpins that commitment.” PXtech will commence the pilot in October 2013 with the full roll out starting in January 2014 and completion scheduled for March 2016.

Read the most recent case studies...

Founded in 1888, South Shields Football Club (SSFC) is a professional club located in Tyne and Wear, currently competing in the National League North. The football stadium has a capacity to host 4,000 fans and offers a range of services, including hospitality boxes, bars, food kiosks and a merchandise store. The club was seeking to replace their outdated systems in order to streamline service across the venue and efficiently manage all their revenue streams. Therefore, they reached out to an ICRTouch Authorised Partner, Octo-POS, who implemented a whole suite of EPoS solutions to transform the club’s operations.
Located in the historic village of Alford, the Grampian Transport Museum boasts an impressive range of transport exhibits, from travelling chariots of the 1800’s to some of the fastest cars ever made. The venue showcases hundreds of transport artefacts and operates a newly refurbished tea room, reception and shop, alongside which they offer a range of visitor services from tours and talks, to hiring meeting rooms for private functions and more.
The Whitefort is a sports and entertainment bar in Belfast, Ireland, that’s recently undergone a complete transformation. Owned by The Conlon Group, the multi-storey venue employs around 60 staff and has a capacity to host over 150 customers. The renowned bar offers a range of activities for its customers including pool, darts, live sporting events and more. In order streamline the venue’s operations, The Whitefort reached out to their local Authorised Partner, DH Business Services for a range of robust EPoS solutions, to effectively manage the bar’s high footfall.