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Industry News - May 29th, 2009

 

RETAIL AND TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Weis Markets to Acquire Giant Markets

Weis Markets announces its plans to purchase the stores of Binghamton, New York-based Giant Markets. It expects to complete the purchase by August 21, 2009.

"This acquisition is an excellent strategic fit for our company. Giant Markets is the market leader in Broome County where they have excellent locations, modern stores and a strong market presence," says Jonathan Weis, vice chairman, Weis Markets. "For many years, they have been a significant part of the community and they've offered an excellent combination of quality, value and service. We are pleased to be working with their associates and look forward to welcoming them to our organization."

Weis Markets is based in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. It currently operates 154 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. In 2008, it generated $2.4 billion in sales.


 

Argos Improves Productivity at its Distribution Centers

Argos deploys the Retalix Yard Management software system at its distribution centers across the United Kingdom to optimize resources and improve efficiencies in day-to-day operations.

The deployment of Retalix Yard Management at Argos' head office allows real-time control and monitoring of its 500-vehicle fleet across all of Argos's nine UK distribution centers through a Web-enabled user interface.

"With a large network of regional and national distribution centers across the United Kingdom, it is essential that our tractor and trailer fleet is closely tracked," said Adrian Burleton, commercial director - supply at Argos. "By integrating the Retalix Yard Management system with our existing Retalix Warehouse Management system, we will be able to optimize our yard and dock resources and eliminate inefficiencies that negatively impact our operations."

The first phase of the Retalix Yard Management System rollout is the vehicle tracking module, which is being implemented in parallel with the enabling radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. RFID readers are being installed at the entry and exit points of the company's distribution centers, and each of the approximately 1,100 trailers and 500 tractors in the Argos fleet are affixed with a rugged RFID tag, automatically registering arrival and departure information as the vehicles enter and leave the distribution centers.


 

Eileen Fisher Selects Buy Anywhere, Fulfill Anywhere Commerce

Eileen Fisher chooses Escalate's Buy Anywhere, Fulfill Anywhere Commerce to enable an end-to-end cross-channel customer shopping experience. As part of the Buy Anywhere, Fulfill Anywhere Commerce platform, Eileen Fisher will implement Escalate Retail's E-Commerce, Contact Center, Order Manager and Fulfillment Manager. Escalate Retail's consulting partner, Acquity Group, will provide Eileen Fisher with front-end implementation and hosting services.

"Providing an exceptional customer experience is our top priority. It is important that we are able to take what customers love about our stores and express that online with creativity and brand consistency," says Lauren Croke, director of Web and e-commerce, Eileen Fisher." Eileen Fisher selected Escalate Retail because we feel they provide the most comprehensive solution for a seamless shopping experience."

In addition to implementing Escalate Retail's Buy Anywhere, Fulfill Anywhere Commerce and supporting modules, Eileen Fisher plans to begin selling and shipping internationally, powered by the recent Escalate E-Commerce integration with FiftyOne Global E-Commerce.


 

Comp USA Adds New POS Software

CompUSA selects Activant Eagle software as its business management and point-of-sale (POS) platform. A subsidiary of Systemax, CompUSA recently introduced its Retail 2.0 initiative to merge the best of the online experience with bricks and mortar shopping, making the Web available to CompUSA shoppers literally at arms' length throughout the stores. Retail 2.0 and the addition of Activant's software has helped manage CompUSA's retail transactions and customer experience and is a critical element of the initiative going forward.

Making inventory more accessible to customers is the key to CompUSA’s strategy. Customers can research products on hundreds of Internet-enabled screens throughout the individual stores. The storewide Internet connectivity, which makes a wealth of product and price information available to both customers and CompUSA team members, is central to the Retail 2.0 concept and will be enabled by the Activant Eagle solution.

"In order for us to change the way people shop for consumer electronics, technology and computer services with our revolutionary Retail 2.0 concept, it was important for us to have the right technology partner," says Terry Perrin, president of CompUSA. "Right out of the box, the Activant Eagle solution is a complete retail solution capable of performing everything from the basic retail functions to our most complicated processes. Activant's large network of support professionals was also an important factor for us as we continue to grow and open stores across the U.S."

"Activant's ability to get the system up and running quickly was a key factor in our decision. Their flexibility and product breadth gave them the lead in the final analysis. I don't think anyone else could have met that need," says Perrin.


 

Weekends Only Adds Retail Task Management

Weekends Only, a furniture outlet store offering special buys, closeouts and truckload purchases, selects Store Ops-Center as its Web-based retail communication portal.

Prior to selecting Opterus, Weekends Only used traditional e-mail for its store communications. This led to numerous problems including:

- Knowing which Weekends Only employees actually read the email and then took the required action

- Managing all the mailboxes and distribution lists within the stores

- Protecting privacy issues communicated via email

- The lack of accountability as to who was responsible for completing an assigned task

"The compression of store open hours exacerbates the normal communication flow between corporate and stores," says Dionne Dumitru, COO, Weekends Only. "Communicating effectively with the stores prior to opening on Fridays was often a challenge. The workflow tools in Store Ops-Center are well-suited to direct the required communications to the right parties, and ensure there is a clear understanding of who does what. We are really looking forward to the functionality provided through Store Ops-Center."

Ms. Dumitru adds, "Opterus is an elegant solution that will help us be inclusive with all users at our stores. We are excited about the opportunities that Store Ops-Center offers us because we will now know that communications are reaching the right person and we will get the crucial feedback that the task is complete and we're ready for our customers."




 

Rose Pharmacy Adds Merchandise Management

Rose Pharmacy, a major drugstore chain in the Philippines with more than 140 locations, selects Merchandise Management and Space Planning from JDA to support the retailer's growth and increasingly complex business operations.

The drugstore chain realized it needed an end-to-end, scalable merchandise management solution that offered warehousing, financial and business reporting/analytical capabilities, and could enhance inventory management efficiencies to avoid overstock and out-of-stock situations. Additionally, Rose Pharmacy sought a category management solution that could drive customer satisfaction and sales by efficiently executing demand-driven category plans.

In order to remain competitive, we needed proven, cost-effective and integrated technology that would enable us to adapt to evolving consumer demands and leverage growth opportunities," said Emma Hassamal, vice president of operations, Rose Pharmacy. "With the JDA Merchandise Management System and Space Planning solutions, we will be able to execute optimal replenishment strategies to ensure we have the right products available in the right stores at the right time; manage the distribution of inventory internally and externally with our suppliers; handle business policies within one system; as well as produce category plans that optimize the position, performance and layout of product categories. We are looking forward to leveraging the JDA solutions to streamline our business processes and improve overall performance."




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