Lush UK cuts invoice processing time with Quadient

Quadient has signed a collaboration with Lush UK to automate the retailer’s accounts payable operations. The project centres on Lush’s use of Quadient’s software alongside Xero.

Lush handles thousands of supplier invoices each month across its UK business. The retailer says the change has cut the time needed to process non-purchase-order invoices from 10 minutes to 4 minutes, while purchase-order invoices now take 2 to 3 minutes with automated approvals.

The system processes more than 4,000 invoices a month on a single platform. Previously, Lush used a mix of invoice processing and approval systems across its UK entities, forcing finance staff to switch between platforms and manually post invoices into accounting systems after approval.

That setup slowed processing and added manual work. The new arrangement brings invoice capture, validation, approval and posting into one platform integrated with Xero, which Lush has been standardising across its finance systems.

Finance shift

The move reflects a broader push among retail finance teams to automate routine back-office work as transaction volumes rise. Accounts payable has become a common target for software investment because it often still relies on manual data entry, disconnected approval chains and separate accounting tools.

For Lush, the implementation also addresses Goods Received Not Invoiced reporting, a finance control that tracks stock delivered but not yet billed by suppliers. The system gives finance teams a clearer way to track invoices through capture and approval while reducing manual intervention.

“We needed a scalable, reliable solution for complex accounts payable. Quadient’s seamless Xero integration and automation strengthened our workflows and efficiency, consolidating multiple systems and positioning us for growth,” said Mike West, Finance Director at Lush.

Quadient’s software includes purchase-order matching, custom workflows and automated data extraction. In practice, those functions are designed to reduce the need for staff to rekey information and shorten approval times for routine invoices.

Retail pressure

Retailers face particular pressure in accounts payable due to large supplier networks, frequent stock movements, and high invoice volumes. Finance teams also have to balance speed with control, especially where different legal entities or store operations have built up separate systems over time.

Lush, which is based in Poole, used the rollout as part of a wider finance standardisation around Xero. By linking accounts payable more closely to the accounting platform, the retailer aimed to simplify the path from invoice receipt to posting.

Quadient is one of many software providers targeting financial automation, an area attracting interest from businesses looking to reduce manual workloads and tighten governance. The market has expanded as cloud accounting systems have become more common and businesses seek better integration between front-end workflows and finance ledgers.

Stephanie Auchabie, Senior Vice President, Digital Sales, Partners and Customer Success for Europe at Quadient, said companies are increasingly focused on linking automation with finance system integration.

“As organisations modernise their finance operations, automation and system integration are becoming critical to improving efficiency, control and scalability,” said Auchabie. “By integrating seamlessly with Xero, Quadient AP enables finance teams to move away from fragmented, manual processes and toward a more intelligent, automated accounts payable workflow. We are delighted to support Lush as they standardise their finance systems and create a more streamlined, data-driven approach to managing supplier transactions.”