Retail Technology - March 2007

Hawkin's Bazaar is a multichannel retailer that prides itself as a source of inexpensive toys, gadgets and gizmos for children and adults. The company, who uses Corby & Fellas' WinRetail system, is planning to substantially increase the number of its permanent UK retail outlets, expanding from 30 to at least 100 stores over the next five years.

The permanent stores will be located throughout the UK and will be supplemented by a number of temporary stores, which will be opened over the busy Christmas period.

Hawkin's Bazaar is the retail arm of Tobar, who have been a supplier to the toy trade since 1973. Tobar operates an efficient call centre to support its mail order business, which is complimented by an e-commerce website.

Hawkin needed to update and improve its retail systems in 2002, particularly the process of replenishing stores from their central distribution centre in Harleston, Norfolk. They had a number of criteria that they insisted their point-of-sale (PoS) system supplier should fulfil, including a fast and efficient PoS system that was easy to use and simple to maintain, as well as capable of providing stock at regular periods throughout the trading day. The system also had to be capable of interfacing to the Maginus mail ordering system and have the ability to deploy complete PoS systems to temporary stores quickly, efficiently and at very short notice.

First-class telephone and online support service was also important, as was the ability to make changes to the core system in order to meet the demands of as developing business.

Toby Templer, Hawkin's Bazaar managing director, was closely involved with the selection of a new system. He and his IT team were determined to find a supplier with whom they could establish a long-term working relationship.

Corby & Fellas (C&F) were able to demonstrate that their WinPos touchscreen PoS sub-system (a component of WinRetail) was ideal for use in both permanent and temporary stores.

During the Christmas trading periods from 2002 to 2006, Hawkin opened several temporary stores (15 in 2006); each had to be equipped with a full WinPos system, allowing it to operate in exactly the same way as a permanent store; this included the ability to communicate to the head office system and handle debit and credit card transactions. However, unlike a permanent store there is little time to plan or implement operations and to train staff, despite the fact that all the requirements of stock control and replenishments are still required, and at the busiest time of the year. Once Hawkin agrees a temporary lease on a store it is imperative that the rollout is completed in a matter of days; experienced C&F operations staff move quickly to set-up, deliver, configure and install a complete PoS system within seven days.

The WinRetail system means new staff can be trained very quickly, an important consideration when operating with a large number of temporary staff.

As Hawkin's Bazaar expands its business, WinRetail continues to be an integral part of the company's operations. The software continues to be modified and enhanced to suit the needs of a successful, growing and increasingly sophisticated retail business.

Chris Corby, C&F marketing director said: "Hawkin's Bazaar is a delightful company to deal with and we are very excited about their expansion plans. We have established an excellent working relationship with them, based on an open and honest exchange of ideas; we look forward with enthusiasm to serving them into the future."

Contact
Corby & Fellas
www.corby-fellas.co.uk
Alan McCammon
alan@corby-fellas.co.uk