Smart suggestions from Futura’s intuitive EPOS and retail management system now enable fashion companies to suggest bundles of different product lines.  For example, chinos, shoes and accessories can be set up in the system as combinations to promote the latest collection or a new range.  The clever technology that supports links to different product lines empowers the sales assistant to suggest other lines which complement the customer’s initial choice, thereby creating greater opportunity to up sell in store.

British menswear brand Steel and Jelly, previously available only through selected partners, and who are transitioning from wholesale to retail, recently opened their first retail store in Birmingham’s new Grand Central shopping centre.  Like many ambitious companies, Steel and Jelly wanted a system that supported their growth plans for online sales as well as for additional retail stores.  They chose Futura’s EPOS and retail management system to synchronise real-time data between their growing online business and their new flagship store.  They wanted information that was detailed, reliable, accurate and centralised to help them make accurate decisions about buying and merchandise planning.

Automated stock alerts

Luckily Steel and Jelly don’t need to wait for store managers to alert them when stock is low.  Their stock controllers receive all the information they need in a format that suits them, to make sure their stock is always working and is not stagnating in a warehouse somewhere.

With plans to open at least two more stores this year, Steel and Jelly’s retail management system also needed to be flexible and easily scalable.

Easily scalable

With a flexible system like Futura, upgrades and other modules are easy to add on.  At a later stage Steel and Jelly plan to upgrade their existing loyalty card programme linking to customer records, to Futura’s full points-based system which works in-store or online, so they can bundle promotions of different product lines.

Futura’s Web Services API

Integration work with Steel and Jelly’s ecommerce platform is now underway and is made much easier by Futura’s Web Services API (Application Programming Interface).  A complete and stable IT solution for third party developers, it covers real-time communication of stock and item information, customer creation and search, order creation and payments, loyalty points, plus click and collect – everything to deliver an effective omni-channel architecture in-store and online.  Importantly, the same API can be used to integrate with other online marketplaces, without the need to manage multiple complex integrations.

Futura’s Web Services API has the flexibility, for example, to enable a customer to start a transaction online and then modify details either in-store, or online, at another time.  And, because everything is streamlined and automated, the chance of error or duplication of customer records is virtually zero.

Steel and Jelly’s use of Futura’s EPOS and retail management system is an example that growing and established businesses could also follow.  For more information read on…

Futura Retail offer EPOS and stock management solutions for lifestyle retailers for further information call us 01189 841925 or click here to find out more.