Thorntons implements sweet software deal

Retailer installs new retail management systems

Chocolate retailer Thorntons has implemented a suite of retail management software as part of a two-year project to support future growth and cut internal costs.

It is replacing core systems in its head office, shops and warehouses because its IT systems had been built up over several years and lacked integration.

Thorntons has historically operated as a manufacturer and its systems were based on production rather than retailing, but with the development of retail shops, it wanted its systems to respond more quickly to match demand and predict trends.

Thorntons programme manager Jim McLauchlan says systems were expanded over time rather than redesigned.

‘Our ordering system was over 20-years-old and had been heavily customised over this time without full supporting documentation, so it became almost impossible to make further modifications,’ he said.

‘In addition, we had a number of unsupported platforms that delivered unwanted risk and no longer supported our future strategy.’

Thorntons chose the Gold retail management suit from Aldata to work across its supply chain from production to sales outlets, including shops, cafes and online.

The suite will replace the central database and control ordering and replenishment, replacing manual stock ordering.

It implemented Gold Central and Gold Shop across its entire estate to manage head office processes and store operations for its own shops, franchise and commercial ordering.

Thorntons has already implemented new hand-held terminals in its shops, enabling staff and managers to perform easier stock counting, sales, provide management information to shops and serve as a queue-busting function at busy times.

‘The Thorntons business is highly seasonal and our busy periods are Christmas and Easter, as well as Mothers Day and Valentines Day,’ McLauchlan said. ‘It is critical that we can serve as many people as possible during those peak periods.

‘But the checkouts need support, so we have equipped each shop with hand-held terminals to enable them to scan a shopper’s purchases so all they have to do is pay.’

Thorntons has also implemented a new warehouse management system and reporting management system., giving it a single vision of its inventory.

What do you think? Email us at [email protected]