Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which happens to be India’s most valuable IT company, is allegedly on the verge of closing deals worth $1 billion with Marks and Spencer, a leading retailer of clothing, personal care products, and home decor based in the United Kingdom. TCS seems to have won the deal after competing with several global IT service providers. If the deal goes through, it will be the largest organized retails deal for TCS.
Marks and Spencer’s global operations have been struggling in the recent past, with the company recording a 22% drop in revenues and a net loss of £87.6 million in 2020, primarily due to the pandemic. However, with the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions and business operations resuming globally, Marks and Spencer are gearing up to expand their e-commerce operations and overhaul their existing systems to meet the ever-changing demands and expectations of their loyal customers. TCS is said to have been playing an active role in this digital transformation plan, which demands a robust IT infrastructure, integration of cutting-edge technologies, and seamless systems integration, to improve customer experience and give Marks and Spencer a competitive edge in the market.
According to sources, TCS is likely to manage the entirety of Marks and Spencer’s end-to-end technology operations, including applications, cloud infrastructure, data center, cybersecurity, and network management, among others, using its proprietary technologies, tools, and methodologies. The deal objective constitutes streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and reducing costs by adopting automation, analytics, and digital platforms.
The partnership aligns with Marks and Spencer’s ambition to become a leading omnichannel retailer, that is focused on delivering the best customer experience. Speaking on the potential partnership, Steve Rowe, CEO of Marks and Spencer Group said, “We plan to make Technology more of a competitive advantage for our business, and Marks and Spencer have been working closely with TCS to explore different models and identify key opportunities.”
If the deal is sealed, it will strengthen TCS’s global presence, which prides itself on providing end-to-end digital services, including strategy, design, technology, and operations to businesses in various industries worldwide. Recently, the company has been making headlines due to its exceptional contributions to the IT and technology sector, including its innovative and customer-centric solutions that have enabled businesses to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
The deal will also cement the long-standing relationship between TCS and Marks and Spencer, as TCS has been providing IT solutions to the retail giant for almost two decades. TCS has previously assisted Marks and Spencer in transforming its legacy systems by migrating to modern platforms, streamlining processes, and enhancing customer experience through a unified platform approach. TCS was also instrumental in designing and developing Marks and Spencer’s “mobile-first” e-commerce website, which currently accounts for 70% of its online sales.
The proposed deal is part of TCS’s aggressive growth strategy, which involves grabbing a sizable share in the retail sector, which has emerged as a significant market for IT service providers. TCS plans to tap into the growth potential of the industry, which is projected to reach $5.5 trillion by 2025, driven by the increased adoption of the cloud, automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
In conclusion, the potential $1 billion deal between TCS and Marks and Spencer is expected to benefit both parties greatly. For Marks and Spencer, it would mean a significant boost in sales and operational efficiency, and for TCS, it would provide an opportunity to strengthen its position in the global retail sector. However, the deal is still in the negotiation phase, and it remains to be seen if it will go ahead. Nonetheless, if the deal is closed, it will undoubtedly be a significant achievement for both TCS and Marks and Spencer.