Fashion retailer New Look has rolled out a service-oriented architecture (SOA) platform to increase operational flexibility and scalability for its international expansion.

Implementation of the Oracle-based system was part of a re-engineering of the firm's buying and merchandising function, which began in June 2007.

So far, the group has completed two of the four phases of its SOA programme, covering reduction management and purchase ordering.

New Look said that the new reduction system has helped to standardise processes across its UK and international stores and measure the impact of markdowns.

The purchase ordering platform has delivered benefits such as increased visibility and control over stock at its franchisee network, and helped reduce handling and freight costs.

The SOA project is expected to be completed in April 2009. After the system is fully implemented, the business expects improvements in supply chain management as well as further savings.

"SOA has been a huge success within New Look and investing early in this emerging technology has created real value," said Carl McPhail, chief executive at New Look.

"It enabled us to focus on processes and the way we work, stripping significant non-value effort from the buying and merchandising teams which, in turn, has enabled them to focus on growing the business."