Fashion retail giant launches revamped website to handle surge in online sales

UK multi-brand fashion retailer, Republic has overhauled its online store, powered by on-demand e-commerce provider, Venda.

Following the online store’s initial launch in May 2007, the brand expanded rapidly using the Venda enterprise platform, resulting in 40% year-on-year growth in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Republic has since been bought by TPG Capital (formerly known as Texas Pacific Group) for £300 million in June 2010, and to satisfy further customer demands has re-launched its online offering. This success has led to a contract extension to continue the relationship with Venda into the future.

Jo Molineux, head of multichannel at Republic, said: “We have used the Venda enterprise e-commerce platform together with our internal Venda-certified resource to make the significant changes needed for a site re-launch, easily and to our own schedule.

Flexing with business changes, requirements

“The flexibility of the platform has enabled us to add new functionalities including an easier navigation structure and clearer customer purchase-paths to ensure we keep pace with the fast-moving world of fashion retail.”

“However, the plans do not stop there. To facilitate a truly multichannel experience with Venda, we plan to launch a mobile offering, web-enabled stores and 'click & collect' early next year,” she added.

Eric Abensur, group chief executive at Venda commented: “Republic’s ongoing success – as a top online retailer and with over 40% year-on-year growth – is evidence of how an online retailer can really optimise the online channel to stay competitive and current in today’s multi-channel marketplace. Other retailers should look to Republic as a good example of best practice in the online retail industry.”