Lakeland starts implementation of merchandise planning software to streamline multichannel business

Lakeland starts implementation of merchandise planning software to streamline multichannel business

Lakeland, the UK kitchenware retailer with 57 stores and a fast-growing multichannel business, has started to implement merchandise planning software from Maple Lake in a bid to ensure high levels of availability for its customers.

“Expansion and the inherent complexity in managing multiple channels has made us look harder at IT tools that give us more control and visibility in managing stock to sales,” said Matthew Canwell, buying director at Lakeland.

Matching service to brand values

The kitchenware retailer, which carries around 4,000 product lines including everything from kitchen appliances to cooking utensils and cleaning products, has always prided itself on high levels of product availability and customer service.

“We are a customer-centric retailer and so ensuring we have the right stock levels to meet customer demand is key to us,” said Canwell.

Eliminating time-consuming analysis

The Maple Lake software is designed to give improved visibility of how different departments are performing and what sells when and where. It can be very time consuming analysing stock and sales on a daily or weekly basis, but the technology helps by automatically identifying any potential gaps on the shelves and highlighting what customers are wanting and highlighting what exactly to buy more of. The Maple Lake QuickAssortment roll out will be completed by summer 2012.

The merchandising deployment follows other recent IT-related activity by the retailer, including the roll out of contactless payment systems and the launch of a new mobile optimised e-commerce site.