Home Bargains is overhauling its legacy network infrastructure to improve in-store connectively and payments across its more than 650 UK locations.

Through a partnership with Evolve Business Group, the British discounter will consolidate multiple legacy networks, including those used for payments and CCTV, into a single point of contact.

The new network is designed to maximise uptime, with diverse connections deployed in each store including automatic failover to maintain connectivity if one line goes down.

Firewall rules and configuration changes will also be updated automatically across all stores so that new features can be rolled out instantly.

The move, which has already seen 50 stores revamped, aims to boost reliability, support greater visibility of performance, and reduce resolution time for issues that may crop up, as well as support the company's continued growth.

The solution will be monitored by a fully staffed technical support desk 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Founded in Liverpool in 1976 by Tom Morris, Home Bargains is known for its “Top Brands, Bottom Prices” business model.

Tony Mullen, head of IT infrastructure and services at Home Bargains explained that the move forms part of the company's wider growth strategy.

“Having started more than 40 years ago in Liverpool, our customers continue to be at the heart of everything we do," said Mullen. "We now serve more than seven million people each week and plan to grow our portfolio to 1,000 stores throughout the UK, opening around 50 new stores a year."

He added that the simplified infrastructure and improved resilience will support the business and its customers as it continues to expand.

Last month, Home Bargains announced it had transformed both its payroll and markdown processes with new technology.

The UK discount retailer revealed that earlier this year it delivered a full scale payroll transformation after the sudden withdrawal of its payroll provider due to unforeseen circumstances.

The withdrawal impacted the 30,000 employees working for Home Bargains, half of whom are paid on a weekly basis.

It also revealed the launch of a new in-store execution software from Retail Insight to modernise its markdown process.

After a successful 20 store pilot beginning in February 2025, the solution was rolled out in June across over 600 stores.

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