Major discount retailer Home Bargains has teamed up with managed network solutions provider Evolve Business Group to upgrade the connectivity and payment systems across its UK stores. The partnership aims to deliver resilient, secure networks to more than 650 stores nationwide, with 50 locations already benefiting from the new infrastructure.
Founded in Liverpool in 1976 by Tom Morris, Home Bargains has built a reputation for offering ‘Top Brands, Bottom Prices’ and a strong commitment to value. The collaboration with Evolve is set to streamline and strengthen the retailer’s network infrastructure to support its ongoing expansion plans.
The initiative involves consolidating multiple legacy networks — used for payments, CCTV, and other operations — into a single, unified system managed by Evolve. This managed solution is continuously monitored by a dedicated 24/7/365 technical support team, which enhances reliability, provides better visibility into network performance, and reduces resolution times for any technical issues. To maximise uptime, Evolve has implemented diverse connections at each store, with automatic failover capabilities that ensure connectivity remains uninterrupted even if one line experiences a failure.
Additionally, Evolve has automated firewall updates and configuration changes across all stores, enabling rapid deployment of new features and reducing administrative overhead. The network design incorporates bespoke elements, such as fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) connectivity, ensuring the system remains fast, compliant, and future-proof. Secure connections to payment data centres and gift card hosts have also been established, maintaining full PCI compliance and safeguarding sensitive data.
Tony Mullen, Head of IT Infrastructure and Services at Home Bargains, emphasised the importance of the new infrastructure in supporting the company’s growth. He stated that with over seven million customers served weekly and plans to reach 1,000 stores across the UK, the upgraded network provides vital resilience and value without sacrificing service quality. The improvements will help the retailer continue expanding while maintaining a high standard of customer service.
Alan Stephenson-Brown, CEO of Evolve Business Group, expressed pride in supporting a well-loved British brand. He highlighted the company’s commitment to delivering secure, reliable, and efficient technology solutions tailored to Home Bargains’ needs, enabling the retailer’s continued success and growth.
