IT major Cognizant on Tuesday announced the acquisition of retail consulting and software development firm Zaffera LLC for an "undisclosed amount".

The acquisition would help Cognizant significantly expand its ability to provide industry-focused SAP consulting and software solutions to major retailers enabling them to streamline operations and enhance customer satisfaction, Cognizant said in a statement.

The purchase, made to acquire skills rather than scale, will boost Cognizant’s expertise in the retail vertical. Analysts put the deal size at $40 million. Zaffera's rich talent pool has an average of 12-plus years of experience in the SAP retail space, which is a key differentiator," R Chandrasekaran, President and MD, Global Delivery, Cognizant, pointed out.

"The retail industry is facing intense economic and competitive pressures. The advent of new technologies like social media and mobility have created a more empowered, savvy consumer and retailers are working harder than ever to attract and retain customers in the face of thin margins", Cognizant CEO and President Franciso D'Souza said.

The acquisition would strengthen the company's ability to help retailers address these challenges and seize new opportunities created by multi-channel retailing. Zaffera's consulting expertise and software solutions would enhance Cognizant's rapidly growing SAP retail practice, he said.

Cognizant currently employs over one lakh people and has over 50 delivery centres worldwide, the statement added.