KICKS chooses RELEX for supply chain initiative

Cosmetics and beauty product retailer, KICKS, has enlisted RELEX to provide a supply chain solution tailored to the needs of its online channel and 250 stores across Sweden, Norway and Finland. Its main goals for the project are to boost sales by ensuring higher in-store availability while cutting inventory to free up capital for reinvestment in business development.

Previously KICKS, which handles some 25,000 SKUs and has a turnover of almost €300 million, used generic forecasting and supply chain management tools bundled with its ERP system. When the company reviewed its IT portfolio and replaced its ERP system, it also decided to source specialist best-of-breed forecasting and replenishment tools.

“RELEX impressed both with its technology and retail planning experts,” says Katarina Pörn, Supply Chain Manager at KICKS. “It has given us efficient tools for forecasting promotions, seasons, and new product introductions. We can forecast separately for stores and online and we can estimate forecast deviation, so we’re never caught out. Meanwhile, RELEX will allow for unprecedented long-term planning. That will ensure our suppliers can meet our needs better and help us maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.”