Using software to manage size allocations
SAS, one of the leaders in business analytics software and services, began implementing Size Profiling software in March 2010, which will assist the US-based Charming Shoppes, parent company of plus-size women's apparel retailers Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherine's and Lane Bryant outlet brands, enhance its ability to help customers find clothes that fit. The group anticipates seeing benefit from the software as early as autumn 2010.
"As a specialty retailer, we recognise that enhancing customer intimacy and creating a positive in-store experience is always at the top of our priorities list, and ensuring that we have her size in stock as she shops is a key contributor to meeting that objective," said David Strobelt, VP of applications at the group.
Simplying the process
"With the profiling tool, we will be able to better localise our assortment based upon the unique demands at a store level. In our legacy solution, size profiling was both a manual and labour-intensive activity for our merchants, and the utility had performance and scale limitations. The software process removes those barriers and simplifies our process."
The analytics transform historical sales data into accurate projections of future demand by size. Integrated with existing merchandising systems, this intelligence is applied to purchasing and allocation workflows delivering optimal, store-specific size profiles that match local demand.
Both pre-season and in-season profiling are systematised through an intuitive user interface and automated workflow.
