Footwear retailer and designer Stuart Weitzman has implemented VendorNet’s StoreNet software that will integrate the inventory management system with e-commerce fulfillment, helping to save sales both on the Internet and in-store.
Stuart Weitzman has recognized the benefits and importance of facilitating a seamless multi-channel experience. “StoreNet will help us ensure we deliver the complete shopping experience including seamlessly fulfilling orders regardless of the sales channel,” said Phil Kodroff, Vice President, Distribution and MIS at Stuart Weitzman. “If our warehouse or a store is out-of-stock, we can leverage StoreNet to route the order to another location for fulfillment. We don’t disappoint our customers, and we optimize our inventory, a win for our customers and our bottom line.”
Approximately 85% of retailers currently run an inventory management system, with 37% planning a replacement or upgrade in 2011, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) in its 2011 Retail Horizons report.
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StoreNet routes e-commerce orders to stores when the direct-to-consumer warehouse is out-of-stock. Through StoreNet’s order allocation engine, an order is dynamically routed to the best store suited for fulfillment based on business intelligence such as the sell through rate at the item level by store, and a variety of other retailer-defined business rules. Store associates access orders through a web-based/mobile interface that guides them through the fulfillment process including automated pick lists, packing slips, shipping labels, and carrier manifests.
Stuart Weitzman’s U.S.-based stores will be live with StoreNet in May 2011. Currently Stuart Weitzman operates 32 retail stores across the United States in locations including New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Boston and Las Vegas. Also a distributor, Stuart Weitzman Holdings LLC sells its shoes in stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Scoop, Nordstrom, Lane Crawford, Bergdorf Goodman and Harrods. Stuart Weitzman also has 40 Stuart Weitzman branded stores outside of the United States. The brand is sold in more than 70 countries.
“The ability to leverage our network of store inventory to augment the online experience provides significant added value to our customers,” Kodroff noted. “We will minimize out-of stocks, and satisfy customer demand at their desired point-of-purchase, which is a key factor in delivering an enriched experience for today’s cross-channel shoppers.” He continued: “The nature of our products implies a relatively high average order size, so out-of-stocks due to imperfect inventory allocations by location can have a significant impact on bottom-line sales. By exposing enterprise-wide inventory online and in all stores, StoreNet will enable us to capture revenue that would have been lost.”
Currently more than 120 retailers and more than 17,000 suppliers, warehouses, and stores are leveraging VendorNet solutions. Retail clients include Nine West, CompUSA, Neiman Marcus, David’s Bridal, Lands’ End, Orvis, National Geographic, Rue La La, Saks Fifth Avenue, Liz Claiborne, Brookstone, and Guitar Center.
