American Eagle Outfitters deploys collaboration platform
By Retail Technology | Monday March 3 2014
Digital asset and content management software agreement will support US-based international fashion retailer's business on the global stage
American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) has signed a multi-year subscription agreement with ConcretePlatform to use its brand management and collaboration platform to grow its business on a global scale.
The Pittsburgh-based fashion brand targets 15-25 year-old males and females through more than 1,000 stores, which includes a growing international franchise business. The company currently employs 30,000 staff and generates revenues in excess of $3.5 billion.
Consistent branding execution
The new agreement will give the retailer access to a standardised system for sharing, reviewing, planning and reporting brand marketing and operational materials throughout the company.
Features include a rights-managed system to record all digital files, and facilitate push and pull communications across both internal and external multiple teams, and real-time comments and mark-up on digital files such as store plans, window layouts and localised marketing, all within an online environment that will free teams from locally-held XLS-based plans to provide cross-team, cross-market visibility and facilitate productivity gains.
The new platform will also provide the retailer with 'IndexCards,' a visual dashboard of store-based performance provided to help accelerate decision making.
Sharing information across functions
Kareem Gahed, vice president of global country licensing at American Eagle Outfitters, stated: "Through the Concrete Platform, we are able to better communicate and share information across all functional areas to our various global channels on one cohesive experience. Additionally, Concrete allows for the AEO brand message to be consistent as we continue to expand our global presence."
The AEO subscription includes Concrete Continuous Care (C3), which gives the company access to ConcretePlatform experts, who will help to ensure that the retailer is able to maximise its use of the platform and continue to streamline activity.
Tristan Rogers, chief executive of ConcretePlatform, added: “American Eagle Outfitters will benefit from improved productivity of its teams across multiple locations by moving the bulk of its activities into the cloud.
"This in turn will ensure a consistent, professional image to all staff and external partners. In addition, all American Eagle Outfitters’ brands will be optimised in every market in which they are traded.”
