Radio frequency to ease Superdrug growth

Retailer Superdrug is to introduce a range of new IT projects to support a £14.6m store expansion programme.

The beauty and pharmacy retailer last week announced plans to double the number of Superdrug stores in London, and expand into Ireland, adding 34 new stores to its existing 700 outlets as part of the £14.6m investment initiative.

Andrew Lyne, Superdrug head of IT, says recent technology projects have already provided a sufficient base for the planned store expansion, but the investment initiative will also allow the organisation to undertake new IT projects.

‘Investment in our information systems is a priority to meet internal requirements – from automated reports and detailed analysis, through to data mining for audit and security,’ said Lyne.

‘Plans are already in place to continue this investment by introducing RF handheld computer terminals to all stores.

‘They will enable greater efficiency in-store by transforming store processes such as stock availability counts, for example,’ he said.

Improving communications between stores and head office will also be an area of focus this year, says Lyne, adding that Superdrug will also look to expand its branch intranet.

The retailer will also be forced to undertake a major hardware and software upgrade to in-store pharmacy systems to support the NHS National Programme for IT, according to Lyne.

These upgrades will allow pharmacies to use a centralised NHS technology infrastructure and dispense prescriptions that have been sent electronically, direct from a GP.

Lyne says that he will continue to work with Superdrug’s third-party IT support partners to deliver these projects, without increasing costs.