New Look is to replace the EPoS software across its entire store estate this year to introduce multi­channel services.

The fast fashion retailer will implement BT Expedite’s Store 6 EPoS system after the successful completion of a three-month EPoS hardware refresh programme in 2009, working with DigiPoS.

The new system will allow it to offer customers a buy online option in stores, giving shoppers access to the whole of its range online from every store. New Look is also due to relaunch its website early this year. In the longer run, New Look wants to introduce additional multichannel services such as click and collect.

New Look business change director Adrian Thompson told Retail Week the systems replacement was taking place to help the business fulfil its ambition to be the number one international multichannel fashion retailer, giving customers what they want, when they want it.

“You don’t have a successful business without getting most things right,” he said.

The existing EPoS application has been in use by the retailer for more than seven years. Its replacement is in the specification and build stage at the moment, and will be piloted in the first half of 2010. Thompson is hopeful that the vast majority of stores will be up and running with the system before Christmas.

Thompson added that the retailer - which is weighing up an IPO this year - has invested heavily in systems in the past five years as part of £400m that has been ploughed into the business. All stores are connected to a BT wide area network, have wireless networks and handheld computers.

Alongside the Store 6 application, BT Expedite’s Estate Management software will be introduced to monitor both the EPoS hardware and software. This monitoring software will identify potential problems so that they can be resolved immediately or during planned maintenance.