After several months of the global Covid-19 pandemic, Kingfisher, an international home improvement retail group, unveiled a new company strategy to focus on digital and service-oriented operations. The group, which owns brands such as B&Q, Screwfix, and DIY.com, had experienced sales declines due to a complex operating model. In response, the Powered by Kingfisher strategy was introduced to tailor each brand to meet customer needs while leveraging core strengths and assets.
With the appointment of Tom Betts as group data director, Kingfisher expanded its internal data and AI team. This team has developed digital tools that have increased sales across the group’s brands. By utilizing AI in supply chain management, logistics, and customer reviews, the company has seen significant revenue growth and improved decision-making processes.
Through partnerships with Google Cloud, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services, Kingfisher has enhanced its data and AI capabilities. The company’s AI orchestration framework, Athena, has reduced development times for new AI services and improved scalability. Athena has enabled Kingfisher to enhance customer experiences through AI-powered search and moderation tools.
Moving forward, Kingfisher plans to expand the use of AI internally to streamline employee access to internal information and improve day-to-day operations. With a strong focus on digital transformation, Kingfisher continues to innovate and improve customer engagement using AI technology.