When a major European retailer sought to redefine their retail technology landscape, they turned to North Highland. Together, we embarked on a journey to create a future-proof technology operating model that would underpin their most pressing business challenges and drive long-term success.
The Challenge: Technology Limitations Restricting Retail Growth
Our client, a leading European retailer, faced several critical hurdles.
- The need to drive speed to value - responding ever quicker to changing customer needs
- A chance to incorporate diverse viewpoints to enable internal teams to step outside of conventional thought processes which should nurture innovation
- A call to bring technology closer to internal business teams
We knew this wasn't just about updating systems—it was about fundamentally changing how technology was being used to create business value.
The Vision: Responsive Retail
It started with a simple philosophy: technology exists to enable outstanding retail experiences and operational excellence. North Highland collaborated with the client's CTO to design a product-led operating model that would:
- Transform the technology operating model to support key business challenges
- Drive immediate efficiency gains while building long-term capabilities
- Foster a culture of innovation and responsiveness to business needs
- Align diverse stakeholders around a unified technology vision and way of working
Our Approach: Retail Recalibration in Four Stages
Stage 1: Tailored Solutions. We immersed ourselves in the client’s business to understand their unique pain points and retail aspirations. This allowed us to craft a bespoke technology strategy with tailored solutions that translated broad concepts into practical, actionable plans for the client's unique situation.
Stage 2: Collaborative Engagement. Acting as both a neutral facilitator and a challenger, we brought together diverse viewpoints to ensure alignment across the organisation. Working side-by-side was critical to designing a technology operating model that unlocked quick wins while also building toward greater transformation.
Stage 3: Trust-Building Through Expertise. By drawing upon our deep understanding of the client's business, we built trust and demonstrated our ability to deliver real, tangible value. This created the trust and organisational confidence needed for more ambitious changes.
Stage 4: Long-term Capability Building. We worked alongside client teams to implement the new model, transferring knowledge and building capabilities throughout. Our goal wasn't just to implement a solution but to help the client own their technology future.
The Results
Our partnership delivered substantial impact across the business.
- Immediate efficiency gains through the removal of duplication and optimisation of roles
- Enhanced responsiveness to business needs, driving lasting impact across the organisation
- Strengthened collaboration and trust among leadership and teams
- A sustainable technology operating model aligned with the business's strategic vision
By embracing change, challenging the status quo, and fostering a culture of innovation, our client positioned themselves at the forefront of retail technology. Their commitment to long-term transformation has set the stage for sustained success in an ever-evolving retail landscape.
Next Steps for Retail Leaders
Based on this journey, here are four thoughts for retail leaders:
- Assess your current technology operating model against your business's strategic goals
- Invest in building internal capabilities that foster innovation and responsiveness
- Seek external perspectives to challenge and refine your technology strategy
- Focus on creating a unified vision that aligns diverse stakeholders across your organisation
Are you ready to revolutionise your retail technology landscape? Let's discuss how North Highland can support your transformation journey. Reach out to us today to start the conversation.
