Hut Group signs Homebase deal for THG Ingenuity, underscores growth potential

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Sep 4, 2020

The Hut Group further illustrated the appeal of its potentially-huge forthcoming IPO on Friday when it announced a further step forward for its THG Ingenuity solution.

The company has agreed a 10-year “D2C digital transformation partnership” with home improvement chain Homebase via its Ingenuity e-commerce services division.

The Hut Group is best known as an online retailer of beauty products, but via Ingenuity it’s forging links with retailers across a vast range of categories and countries. This has major implications for both fashion and beauty names as they expand their online operations and focus heavily on omnichannel.

Current Ingenuity third-party clients include Nestlé, Proctor & Gamble and PZ Cussons. 

The Homebase multi-million-pound deal aims to digitally transform the British retailer and replace current systems, including web development and hosting, a global fulfilment and payment infrastructure, digital channel and proposition management, brand building and strategy, alongside the production of digital first content from THG’s content studios.

THG founder and CEO Matthew Moulding said: “The global retail landscape is changing and the current climate has accelerated digital plans for many businesses. This partnership is testament to the strength and reputation of THG Ingenuity to deliver a world-leading e-commerce solution that can power businesses of all sizes, in the UK and globally.” 

And Homebase CEO Damian McGloughlin said the company has chosen the solution to allow it to “significantly fast-forward our digital plans and create an incredible new shopping experience for customers. We have a unique opportunity to move with the rapidly changing retail landscape, and leapfrog ahead to an experience that exceeds customers’ demands for online shopping that’s both easy and inspirational”.