Integrator Azzurri Communications has won a five-year, £4m deal to overhaul and manage the IT infrastructure of newsagent and convenience store chain Martin McColl.

The retailer’s 1,300 stores will now represent about 10 per cent of all UK retail outlets in which Azzurri has a presence. Chief technical officer David MacFarlane told CRN: “In terms of size, this deal is of great importance for us.”

Neil Hodge, general manager of IT for Martin McColl, revealed that his company considered revamping its electronic point-of-sale (EPOS) equipment two years ago. The retailer eventually decided to completely revamp its IT framework and Azzurri will now deploy and manage a retail application network across stores, headquarters and partner sites.

“We needed to upgrade. Azzurri impressed us with its ability to monitor performance,” said Hodge.
He indicated the rollout will begin over the next few months and will be completed by April 2009. Benefits of the new network will include the use of adverts at EPOS terminals and internet use to help manage customers’ newspaper delivery accounts.

MacFarlane said: “Martin McColl is embracing this technology and is going to be one of the most advanced online retailers on the high street.”