UK’s leading tech retailer Currys today announces a new partnership with Stripe, the programmable financial services company. The retailer will install thousands of next-generation Stripe payment terminals across its nearly 300 UK and Ireland stores, creating the infrastructure to rapidly adopt emerging technologies – from seamless mobile payments to AI-powered shopping experiences – and deliver faster, more flexible checkouts.
The partnership and investment builds on Currys’ store transformation programme, which has already seen colleague headsets and Electronic Shelf Edge Labelling roll out across its estate. Together, these upgrades are improving the customer experience while positioning Currys to adopt whatever comes next in retail technology.
But the deal does more than speed up checkouts. In a retail first, Currys has brokered a three-way partnership with Stripe and Pennies – the UK’s trusted micro-donation charity, bringing charitable giving prompts to Stripe terminals for the first time globally. Backed by Solutions Integrator Insight, the move is a game changing innovation for charities, allowing more customers to round up purchases for good causes at the till and will undoubtedly unlock millions in new donations.
“This is about building the store of the future, today. Stripe’s platform makes checkout faster, but more importantly, it gives us the flexibility to adopt innovations as they emerge. We’re already using AI to help customers find the right tech – now with Stripe’s infrastructure, and partnerships with the likes of OpenAI, we can layer in new payment capabilities that work seamlessly with AI-assisted shopping and whatever else comes next. And the fact we can also make it easier for customers to support causes they care about? That’s innovation that actually matters,” said Andy Gamble, chief information & transformation officer, Currys.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Currys as they modernise the in-store experience across the UK and Ireland. With Stripe Terminal, Currys can adopt new types of commerce as they emerge—from AI-assisted shopping to in-person charity giving through Pennies. The integration with Pennies, which is a first for Stripe Terminals globally, demonstrates how having the right infrastructure allows innovative retailers to create delightful new customer experiences,” said Conor McNamara, EMEA chief revenue officer, Stripe.
“We’re delighted to deepen our partnership with Currys through this exciting collaboration with Stripe. With Currys becoming the first retailer to enable Pennies micro-donations on Stripe terminals, this is very exciting and continues to help generosity become part of the everyday shopping experience in Currys stores, while unlocking an important new route to give for Stripe’s wider customer base through an enhanced in-store donation experience. Every penny truly adds up, almost 5 hours of micro-donations made by Currys customers could help the Digital Poverty Alliance pay for a laptop for a family, improving access to essential education, finance and healthcare resources. We’re so proud to continue this journey with Currys – and now with Stripe too, as we unlock even more opportunities for people to give,” said Alison Hutchinson CBE, CEO, Pennies.
Thanks to the generosity of Currys customers, donations through Pennies are transforming lives. In the UK, support for the Digital Poverty Alliance has delivered nearly 3,000 laptops to families in need, helping bridge the digital divide. In Ireland, contributions fund My Canine Companion – the largest provider of service dogs for children and young adults with autism – bringing independence and confidence to those who need it most.
