In a significant advancement for the retail payments sector, ACI Worldwide and Co-op have extended their strategic technology partnership, aiming to revolutionize transaction processing and security. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to innovation, leveraging cloud technology and robust fraud management solutions to enhance the payment experience for consumers and retailers alike.

Background of the Partnership

Co-op, a leading UK convenience retailer operating approximately 2,400 stores nationwide, has been collaborating with ACI Worldwide to modernize its payment infrastructure. In January 2024, Co-op successfully migrated its entire payment and fraud prevention software stack to ACI's multi-tenant cloud platform hosted on Microsoft Azure. This strategic move aimed to improve operational efficiency, scalability, security, and data protection. (investor.aciworldwide.com)

Extension of the Strategic Partnership

In March 2025, ACI Worldwide and Co-op announced the extension of their strategic technology partnership. This agreement enables Co-op to continue utilizing ACI’s Payments Orchestration Platform, encompassing in-store, online, and mobile payment processing, as well as comprehensive payments and fraud management solutions. The partnership aims to support Co-op's growth ambitions by providing scalable and innovative payment solutions. (investor.aciworldwide.com)

Implications and Impact

Enhanced Payment Security and Fraud Management

The integration of ACI's point-to-point encryption and tokenization technologies has significantly bolstered Co-op's payment security measures. These technologies ensure that sensitive payment data is protected against potential breaches, thereby enhancing customer trust and compliance with data protection regulations. (investor.aciworldwide.com)

Scalability and Operational Efficiency

By leveraging ACI's cloud-based solutions, Co-op has achieved greater scalability, allowing the retailer to efficiently manage peak transaction volumes and expand its services without compromising performance. The cloud infrastructure also facilitates rapid deployment of new payment features, enabling Co-op to stay competitive in the evolving retail landscape. (investor.aciworldwide.com)

Data Protection and Compliance

The migration to a cloud environment hosted on Microsoft Azure has enhanced Co-op's data protection capabilities. Azure's robust security protocols ensure that customer and transaction data are safeguarded against cyber threats, aligning with industry standards and regulatory requirements. (investor.aciworldwide.com)

Technical Details

The partnership utilizes ACI's Payments Orchestration Platform, which offers a comprehensive suite of payment solutions, including:

  • In-Store Payment Processing: Enables secure and efficient transactions at physical retail locations.
  • Online Payment Processing: Facilitates seamless e-commerce transactions, supporting various payment methods.
  • Mobile Payment Processing: Supports payments via mobile devices, catering to the growing trend of mobile commerce.
  • End-to-End Payments and Fraud Management: Provides comprehensive tools for managing the entire payment lifecycle, from transaction initiation to fraud detection and prevention.

The integration of point-to-point encryption and tokenization technologies ensures that payment data is encrypted at the point of entry and tokenized during processing, minimizing the risk of data breaches. (investor.aciworldwide.com)

Conclusion

The extended partnership between ACI Worldwide and Co-op represents a significant step forward in the evolution of retail payments. By embracing cloud technology and advanced security measures, Co-op is well-positioned to offer enhanced payment experiences to its customers, ensuring secure, efficient, and scalable transaction processing across all channels.