Currys - Custom Magento Extension Case Study

Currys needed to replace an outdated Magento 1 auction system with a secure, modern alternative. Off-the-shelf extensions could not support their workflows or reporting requirements, so we designed and built a bespoke Magento 2 platform that streamlines operations and improves the experience for both buyers and administrators.

We redesigned the entire auction journey, from onboarding through to bidding. New user flows improved registration, simplified customer approval and created a clearer bidding experience. The platform uses Azure Active Directory SSO for secure access and runs on Azure cloud infrastructure to support reliability, security and scale.

The upgraded auction engine supports popcorn bidding, blind bids, bid uploads, outbid notifications, extended periods, minimum bid rules and both automated and manual winner assignment. Buyers benefit from a faster, more responsive experience, while the business gains full control over every auction variable.

We delivered tailored functionality including user-specific product and category access, a custom asset management system, granular admin permissions, refined approval flows and secure document handling. These enhancements reduce manual work and significantly lower the risk of administrative error across the auction process.

Reporting was a core requirement. The new platform features a custom reporting suite with real-time insight into auction performance, buyer activity and key KPIs. Automated email reports deliver essential data to the Currys team, making it easier to track trends and plan future strategy without relying on manual extraction.

The platform was tested with a full PHPUnit suite, functional tests and a custom load testing script that simulated real user behaviour including logging in, bidding, searching and viewing auctions. All custom code passed rigorous penetration testing.

Feedback from internal teams and buyers in 2023 confirmed noticeable improvements across activity, bidding performance and overall ease of use. Bidding became faster, processes clearer and manual tasks significantly reduced, resulting in a more reliable and efficient experience for both administrators and bidders.