Retail Assist reveals record results

Retail Assist, the Nottingham-based software and support business which works with some of the biggest names on the high street, has revealed record results driven by growth in sales and customer numbers.

The business, which employs 220 people, says turnover in 2015-16 leapt more than 10 per cent to £15m, with increasing numbers of retail and hospitality clients turning to its technology and services to help deliver sales growth and high-quality customer experience.

The company’s turnover has risen by nearly 50 per cent in the space of only three years and chief finance officer Matthew Proudlove says he expects growth to continue as customers look for centralised support during a period when technological transformation is driving omnichannel sales.

“This has been our best ever year and it reflects the sustained commitment we’ve made to invest in good people, great products and consistently high support,” he said.

“We are operating in growing markets where technology is, more than ever, central to success in retail and hospitality and we expect to see our strong performance continuing as there are many brands for whom the services we deliver and the way we operate are a very good fit.”

Retail Assist employs 220 people at sites in Nottingham, Northampton and London, with most based at its head office on Friar Lane – also the home of its Help Desk operations.

It works with retail clients such as Harvey Nichols, Karen Millen and ASOS, major hospitality brands including Pizza Hut and cinema chain Vue.

Proudlove added: “This is a year in which we have delivered a number of key initiatives for our customers, among them a business-critical project for ASOS which will enable them to continue growing as the second largest online retailer.

“Similarly, we have helped the Karen Millen, Oasis and Warehouse websites move on to a new ecommerce platform which will allow them to enhance their customer experience further.
“At the same time, there have been a number of significant new client wins and expanded services from existing clients who want us to deliver more of their core support.

“There is further growth ahead. Our products have proved themselves in retail but they are transferable to hospitality, an industry which is at an earlier stage in its technological evolution – hence hospitality clients are coming to us to make that step.”