Telecoms giant BT today gained a firmer foothold on the high street after buying the British business of software supplier NSB Retail Systems for £17 million sterling.
The deal means BT will take over contracts to supply high street retailers including Arcadia, BhS and Woolworths with IT systems for managing transactions.
It also agreed to become the exclusive distributor of NSB's products in Britain and Ireland, as well as supporting its network in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
BT Retail chief executive Mr Pierre Danon said: "BT will now be able to help retailers transform their business operations, enabling an improved customer experience and reduced operating costs."
BT will establish a new business unit - BTExpedite - to offer IT solutions for retailers and hopes to create a "one-stop-shop" combining its network with NSB's support skills.
NSB, which employs around 1000 people in North America and in the Britain at Birmingham, Watford and Theale, near Reading, said 148 staff would join BT as part of the deal.