Tiso achieves faster stock replenishment, optimising customer experience with Eurostop connected retail systems

“The stock replenishment facility within e-rmis was exactly what we were looking for. It gives us far greater control of store replenishment, enabling us to pick wirelessly and despatch accurately.”Chris Tiso, Chief Executive of Tiso Stores Faster and more efficient fulfilment of stock to stores as a result of improved warehouse operations using Eurostop’s stock replenishment system Accurate stock records are maintained using quick product setup and purchase order functionality Central stock system and detailed business insights and reporting from sales data across all channels aids merchandise planning New multi-promotions capability at EPOS till point reduces complexity for staff, improving customer service and maximising revenue opportunities The Challenge The current growth in outdoor pursuits over recent years has seen Scotland’s leading outdoor clothing retailer Tiso expand both the number of outlets and its product range. Today Tiso stocks a wide variety of clothing, footwear and equipment for adventure sports, including alpine biking, climbing, ski-ing and general outdoor pursuits. Tiso’s focus remains on offering a customer experience that demonstrates its early history embedded in a love of outdoor sports, by providing areas to trial clothing and equipment, including climbing walls, test areas for bikes and employing trained, experienced staff. From low cost carabinas and keyrings, to bikes and ski equipment with ticket prices of thousands of pounds, having the right systems to manage the product range and stock across all stores to meet customer demand is vital for business success. With future expansion planned, Tiso recognised that its current stock management system, Prologic CIMS, was not able to accommodate the variety and number of items on sale for fast store replenishment, or the accurate stock management and sales data that it required for its merchandising team. The Solution Tiso chose Eurostop’s e-rmis stock management system, EPOS solution (e-pos touch) and the business intelligence (e-cubes) modules to provide the detailed management and replenishment that it required for its warehouse and 13 stores in the group. Eurostop provided features in the stock management system to enable detailed tracking of items from warehouse to store – from the exact shelf position in the warehouse, to the number of items despatched in each box, or carton, to each outlet. A quick scan of the barcoded carton allows tracking of all contained items on its transit to store, increasing accuracy of stock movements and efficiency of stock replenishment to store. “The replenishment facility within e-rmis was exactly what we were looking for. It gives us far greater control of store stock replenishment, so we have an accurate view of the business,” said Chris Tiso, Chief Executive of Tiso Stores. The Result Faster, easier stock replenishment to meet customer demand Eurostop’s system manages the entire process, from when items are picked using a wireless scanner, to packing in the cartons and loading in the delivery van. Codes on each item and box are recorded automatically so that each store knows what to expect and can check it against delivery, avoiding stock being sent to the wrong store or being left behind in the warehouse. According to the size of the item, the store can then choose to scan the items in depending on value and size, for example, a carton may contain one bike, a dozen water bottles or hundreds of smaller items, like keyrings. In addition to the auto-replenishment being more accurate and targeted, the warehouse operations themselves have been made more efficient. Picking lists are created automatically according to multiple target figures set by the merchandising team and the use of wireless scanners in the warehouse has streamlined the pick process, with no need to dock. Added functionality enables accurate stock records Tiso selected Eurostop for its ability to provide not only the stock management and replenishment but also the functionality to set up products initially on the system. Using e-rmis enables products to be loaded onto the system in bulk from one spreadsheet, with details including SKUs, colours and sizes. Purchase orders can also be created in the same way, by importing a spreadsheet with supplier details, items, cost prices and quantity, saving time and preventing errors from re-keying. Detailed reports help merchandise planning For Tiso an important part of managing the business is the reporting functionality, for which e-cubes has been invaluable. The company can create customised reports providing the details they need to manage the business and to align with the bespoke reporting requirements of parent company, JD Sports. “Customised reporting gives us the information we need on stores’ performance, especially important with our expansion plans. Our new Aviemore store will have even greater floor space for customers to try products – investing in Eurostop retail systems provides us with the technology in store to provide an even better customer experience from trial to purchase,” said Tiso. Eurostop’s API has also allowed for fast and robust integration of the online and physical channels, such that product information and sales are all connected across the entire retail estate, for an omnichannel approach According to Barry Loftus, IT Director at JD Sports; “The API provides the right data in an easily readable form, which has allowed a solid integration to our online channel and fulfilment systems.” Improved customer service in store Eurostop’s connected systems have improved stock fulfilment to meet customer demand. In addition, Tiso has found the new EPOS solution easy to use for staff, with the added functionality making it simpler and faster to manage promotions and offers at the till point. “Eurostop’s e-pos touch has been a big retail benefit for us – it’s user friendly, has more functionality and the promotional element is flexible to implement and use, important when customer service is a priority,” said Chris Tiso. About Tiso Tiso is Scotland’s Leading Outdoor Clothing & Equipment Retailer. The company was founded in 1962 by mountaineer Graham Tiso with his wife Maude in Edinburgh. The company has since grown to become a household name, with 21 outlets in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, including the George Fisher business

ALDO Shoes selects Eurostop Retail Systems For Robust Stock Control and Product Management

Accessible and on trend fashion footwear and accessories retailer ALDO UK launches Eurostop POS and Stock Control Systems to manage retail operations as non-essential retail emerges post-pandemic

Shaws Department Stores invest in Eurostop to optimise stock management across stores

“We looked at a number of solutions and when we asked Eurostop whether the system could meet our requirements, the answer was always yes.” Eamon Dole, Finance Director, Shaws Streamlined company stock management handles nearly 1m live SKUs across 17 stores and warehouse Instant visibility of sales and stock has dramatically reduced administration time SKU level performance data enables accurate reporting for informed business decisions for merchandising and finance The Challenge Shaws is one of Ireland’s leading department store chains, with over half a million customer visits to its 17 stores every month. The Department stores sell a variety of high quality clothing, accessories, footwear, beauty and home products – in total nearly 1m different SKUs at any time to track and manage. With around 70-80% of stock delivered direct to the stores, and the remaining amount to a central warehouse, it was becoming more difficult to maintain accurate stocks. As the existing system recorded sales against department, and not by SKU, mini stock takes were required to assess stock levels across the stores, while sales margins were calculated weekly following reconciliation of sales and stock at head office. As a well established brand, Shaws wanted to carry on servicing their much-loved customers with a connected retail system that would enable them to manage their complete range of stock items effectively. The Solution Shaws invested in a fully connected head office stock management and EPOS solution from Eurostop to support its department stores and warehouse. “We looked at a number of solutions and when we asked Eurostop whether the system could meet our requirements, the answer was always yes. If it wasn’t already in the system, it could be developed.” One of the key reasons for selecting Eurostop’s system was its ability to handle ‘multi-dimensional’ stock details, for example, colour and size breakdowns per product, as well as SKUs from different brand suppliers. In addition, Shaws found that the design of the retail hierarchy utilised by the Eurostop system was well matched to their own business model. Eamonn Doyle, Finance Director at Shaws said; “We have a complex business model with stock delivered to our stores and the warehouse. We wanted to be able to reconcile our stock positions against sales to see what was selling, which lines to replenish and where. e-pos touch was installed on tills in all of the department stores, with e-rmis at head office. The lifecycle of all stock is fully managed – from goods-in, branch transfers, sales and stocktakes. Scanners are used to check all stock into the warehouse, as well as to create picking lists ensuring the right stock is despatched to stores, faster. Shaws has also set target replenishments to manage stock from its warehouse to the stores, with the option to override should it be required. The Result Improved visibility of stock across stores The visibility of stock across the stores has dramatically reduced the administration for staff in stores. They now have instant visibility of their expansive range of stock by colour and size, rather than just by department – what they are receiving, what is in the warehouse and when deliveries are due. “We stock a huge variety of items – from clothing to homewares and electricals. We can now look at what is selling and what is left – whether by department, SKU, supplier, season and the information is accessible in a really user friendly way,” explained Doyle. New e-pos provides enhanced options at till point Using Eurostop e-pos touch, Shaws is now able to manage split payments (cash and credit card) at the tillpoint. “It has taken a lot of the manual work away – we can see exactly where stock is flying off the shelves and where we need to reduce orders. Having the supplier barcodes has also made it easier and faster when we wish to replenish stock,” said Doyle. Accurate up to the minute sales data supports business decisions The accurate sales data populates reports for the finance manager and merchandising teams, helping them to assess popular lines, low sellers and non-profitable products, helping Shaws to ensure that they have the right stock at the right place at the right time. “These are challenging times for retailers, particularly with the increase in online shopping. Now we have the sales information that helps us manage our stock, trade better and make customer service a priority.” “Information from the Eurostop system supports business decisions, enabling us to continue to be successful in all our stores in the provinces. Our investment in Eurostop systems will enable us to continue to achieve this.” About Shaws Henry Shaw founded Shaws in 1864, when he opened a small drapery store in Mountmellick, Co. Laois. Today, the company remains family-owned and the current Managing Director, Jonathan Shaw, is among the fourth generation of the Shaw family to work in the business.