Interviews
News Flash
Aurora Fashions confirms IT outsourcing with Retail Assist
23 May '11
2 min read
Following the announcement of proposed changes earlier this year and a period of exclusive discussions with Retail Assist, the multi-brand Aurora Fashions group can now confirm that it has outsourced its IT functions to the retail-only solutions and IT managed services provider. Some 48 Aurora employees have joined Retail Assist. All will continue to work from their current offices in London and Oxfordshire.
Explains Retail Assist's co-founder and managing director, Alan Morris: “In one form or another, we've worked with Aurora for 9 years. We originally worked with the Warehouse and Principles brands, then with Mosaic Fashions. When the businesses emerged as Aurora Fashions, we continued and built upon our existing relationship.”
When, as part of its corporate strategy, Aurora looked to outsource infrastructure services including IT, the company invited Retail Assist to put forward a proposal detailing how they could move from services supplier to manage Aurora's entire IT operation. Retail Assist was successful in reaching an agreement in a competitive scenario.
Alan Morris observes: “The values and culture of Aurora Fashions are very similar to ours, which is one of the most crucial factors in these situations. We saw this as an opportunity to upscale our Managed Services Division. With Aurora's international, multicurrency and multichannel growth strategy, the developments provide us with further skill sets and experience that equip us to engage with more retailers in a time when every retailer is looking to exploit these opportunities.”
For both Aurora and Retail Assist, it will be 'business as usual'. The transition of Aurora employees has now been completed. The contract will allow Aurora's brand-focused operational units to concentrate on customer service and business growth, and previous Aurora employees can look forward to future opportunities for career progression within a larger IT team.
Richard Glanville, Chief Financial Officer of Aurora Fashions commented: “This new structure, which has been achieved without any job losses, is very much about growth. We saw that Retail Assist were the ideal partner for the expansion required, an excellent fit for our staff, and a move that would allow our brands to focus on satisfying the needs of their customers.”
For Aurora, the new arrangements will preserve the shared services benefits of cost-effectiveness, access to expertise and 'best practice' IT solutions, providing the group with a strong foundation for future growth.
Explains Retail Assist's co-founder and managing director, Alan Morris: “In one form or another, we've worked with Aurora for 9 years. We originally worked with the Warehouse and Principles brands, then with Mosaic Fashions. When the businesses emerged as Aurora Fashions, we continued and built upon our existing relationship.”
When, as part of its corporate strategy, Aurora looked to outsource infrastructure services including IT, the company invited Retail Assist to put forward a proposal detailing how they could move from services supplier to manage Aurora's entire IT operation. Retail Assist was successful in reaching an agreement in a competitive scenario.
Alan Morris observes: “The values and culture of Aurora Fashions are very similar to ours, which is one of the most crucial factors in these situations. We saw this as an opportunity to upscale our Managed Services Division. With Aurora's international, multicurrency and multichannel growth strategy, the developments provide us with further skill sets and experience that equip us to engage with more retailers in a time when every retailer is looking to exploit these opportunities.”
For both Aurora and Retail Assist, it will be 'business as usual'. The transition of Aurora employees has now been completed. The contract will allow Aurora's brand-focused operational units to concentrate on customer service and business growth, and previous Aurora employees can look forward to future opportunities for career progression within a larger IT team.
Richard Glanville, Chief Financial Officer of Aurora Fashions commented: “This new structure, which has been achieved without any job losses, is very much about growth. We saw that Retail Assist were the ideal partner for the expansion required, an excellent fit for our staff, and a move that would allow our brands to focus on satisfying the needs of their customers.”
For Aurora, the new arrangements will preserve the shared services benefits of cost-effectiveness, access to expertise and 'best practice' IT solutions, providing the group with a strong foundation for future growth.
Retail Assist Limited
Popular News
Leave your Comments
Editor’s Pick
Esteemed Clients
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)")
