LONDON, 2015-4-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Sainsbury’s is creating 480 specialist jobs in London and Coventry, strengthening its in-house digital and technology capabilities as customers seek more convenient and intuitive ways to shop using new technology.
These new digital experts will run and improve Sainsbury’s existing digital platforms for customers, such as the website and mobile shopping apps. They will also develop test and launch new products in a new ‘Digital Lab’ opening in the summer – giving developers, digital designers, product owners, engineers and testers a modern space to work and test new ways of shopping. The recruitment for specialists is now under way – with over 180 roles available in London.
Sainsbury’s is also upgrading its own infrastructure and core business systems to serve customers faster, including building better platforms for online shopping and supply chains. A new ‘Technology Hub’ in Coventry will create another 300 specialist roles, alongside our existing operational team that supports Sainsbury’s stores, depots and offices.
Sainsbury’s Chief Executive Mike Coupe, said: “The shape of our business is changing and digital and technology is a core part of our future growth. Ultimately these changes are good news for customers – the Technology Hub in Coventry will keep our systems running smoothly and experts in our Digital Lab in London will be developing new ways of digital shopping to give customers the best access to our products, services and offers.”
Director of Digital and Technology at Sainsbury’s, Jon Rudoe, said: “We’re now firmly on the map as a career destination for digital and technology specialists. Retail is a vibrant sector for innovation and this team is key to keeping our fast-paced business running. We’re structuring and equipping entrepreneurial teams to improve the digital experience and develop products that will help make our customers’ lives easier.”
Notes to Editors
In January, Sainsbury’s announced a review of its central costs and structures, which formed part of the strategic review of the business and plan to save £500m over three years. These savings will help Sainsbury’s focus on the areas that really matter to customers and invest in areas such as Digital and Technology in order to evolve for the future.
In this announcement, Sainsbury’s confirmed that some functions in Store Support (office based roles) locations in London, Coventry and Manchester would reduce by around 500 roles, spread across all divisions and grades in store support centres. This number did not impact the overall headcount for people employed at Sainsbury’s, as it did not take into account areas of growth such as Digital and Technology. This is why more roles are required to build specialist teams of coders, digital designers, engineers, testers and operators to equip the business for the future.
At the heart of this lies a vision for Sainsbury’s to be a world-class Digital and Technology function to deliver great services for customers.
Sainsbury’s Digital Facts
- Sainsbury’s sees 24 million customer transactions a week – that includes both in store and online
- Sainsbury’s employ around 161,000 colleagues across its network of 1,200+ stores, 22 depots and offices in London, Manchester, Coventry and Edinburgh
- Sainsbury’s online business is 18 years old and a £1 billion business (5% of sales). It now covers 98 per cent of UK postcodes
- Sainsbury’s operations rely on technology. From 22 depots using technology to capture what our 1,200+ stores need, to our checkout software, Brand Match price comparison, and coupon at till technology which instantly rewards customers with targeted promotions
- The digital team have already started trialling a new Mobile Shopping App that helps you create a list at home, remembers your favourite items and even gives you a map to help you find the products once you’re in store. The app then lets you scan the product on your phone, pack as you go and pay without queuing
- Customers will soon be able to access wifi in large supermarkets, which teams in the Lab will utilise to test, trial and develop new ways of shopping and easier ways to pay
- Sainsbury’s first ‘dark store’ to service online orders exclusively will open in Bromley-by-Bow in 2016
- The Sainsburys.co.uk is being regularly and rapidly upgraded, making it as easy as possible for customers to use
- We are investing in new businesses such as Sainsbury’s Entertainment on Demand, eBooks by Sainsbury’s and are trialling clothing online, with plans for national roll-out due later this year
- Sainsbury’s has ‘Digital Ambassadors’ – a network of experts across the business, helping integrate new ways of working with better technology
- Nectar data is also crucial in helping hone the offer and services to customers. It also acts as a thread across all Sainsbury’s services to help customers get the best value – from Sainsbury’s Bank, to shopping in store, to shopping online and on other devices such as tablets and mobile
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