Accenture and Retek Help Polish Retailer LPP Deploy New Technology Systems to Support Its European Expansion
LPP Implements Retek Planning and Merchandising Systems in Just 10 Months
MINNEAPOLIS and WARSAW; July 6, 2004 – Accenture and Retek have implemented Retek merchandising, forecasting and planning systems at LPP, a rapidly growing fashion retailer with 90 branded stores in Poland. The new systems provide the infrastructure required to support LPP’s ambitious expansion strategy across Eastern and Western Europe.
To expedite the implementation, LPP elected to deploy the Retek merchandising system with virtually no modifications and to use Accenture, which is involved in 90 percent of Retek implementations. Although typical enterprise merchandising implementations can take up to 24 months, the LPP implementation was completed in just 10 months.
“Given our significant growth over the last two years, we required dependable core merchandising and planning systems,” said Marek Piechocki, CEO of LPP. “We identified Retek as the best-of-breed merchandising, planning and forecasting solutions for the fashion industry and turned to Accenture because of its leadership in Retek implementations, strong local presence and global reach.”
The Retek Merchandising SystemTM (RMS) records and controls virtually all data in the retail enterprise and ensures data integrity. The solution helps users improve merchandising activities and better achieve sales and profit targets. LLP will use the new system to reduce inventory and markdown costs as well as increase sales.
In addition, LPP is using Retek Demand ForecastingTM to produce highly accurate forecasts at store, SKU and day levels. This capability, in conjunction with the Retek Merchandise Financial Planning application, which provides improved product, channel and location planning, is enabling LLP to better match supply with demand and optimize inventory performance.
“Retailers of all sizes and categories need toolsets to help them focus on strategic efforts to grow their business,” said Neville Roberts, a partner in Accenture’s Retail practice. “By integrating the Retek products into its operations quickly and at low cost, LPP will be better equipped to make insightful, fact-based decisions, enhance its overall business performance and strengthen and expand its market position.”
“Retailers seeking to enhance merchandising, planning and forecasting must have accurate information that is easy to access,” said Marty Leestma, Retek president and CEO. “Retek systems can be scaled to meet the needs of the world’s largest retailers, but they can also help mid-sized retailers achieve operational excellence. As LPP looks to the future, the Retek merchandising and planning systems will provide them the meaningful information they need to improve demand planning and streamline business systems to better serve their customers.”
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills, and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With approximately 95,000 people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$11.8 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2003. Its home page is www.accenture.com.
About LPP
LPP S.A. is a rapidly growing fashion retailer based in Poland. From its headquarters in Gdansk, the company designs clothing which it distributes throughout Europe. In business for almost 10 years, the company has stores in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Russia, Latvia and Estonia. The company’s home page is www.lpp.com.pl.
About Retek
Retek Inc. is a leading provider of mission-critical software and services to the retail industry. Retek solutions integrate collaborative software with patented predictive technologies, consulting services and the best practices of customer and partners to help retailers create, manage and fulfill consumer demand. Leading global retailers, including Tesco, Best Buy, Gap, Sainsbury’s, Office Depot and Selfridges use Retek solutions. Retek is a trademark of Retek Inc. Visit Retek on the Web at www.retek.com.
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David Naumann
+1 (612) 587 2522
Caitlin Storhaug
+1 (415) 537 5458