Backpack retailer ROKA London picks Inventory Planner by Sage for next stage of digital growth

Backpack and accessories brand, ROKA London, has implemented Inventory Planner by Sage.

Launching in 2017, ROKA London originally focused on B2B sales, stocking its product lines with over 1,500 UK retailers and even more internationally, in countries such as the USA, France, Spain and Australia.  

In recent years, it has focused its aims on digital sales via its Shopify Plus webstore, in part by upgrading its tech stack.

With plans to continue this trajectory in both the UK and US, ROKA London decided to try Inventory Planner.

It formerly depended on spreadsheet-based inventory planning, and says that it chose the solution due to its time saving, robust features and swift functionality, including its accurate sales forecasting and automatic, data led purchasing recommendations.  

It’s also able to swiftly extend to the many e-commerce apps top retail businesses use to build a best-in-class tech stack, including Shopify Plus. 

The team has gained access to the tool’s granular inventory insights and precise purchasing recommendations, which eliminates the need for time intensive spreadsheet calculations and significantly reduces human error.  

Additionally, having full inventory visibility means ROKA London can work towards custom inventory KPIs, and go as granular as variant level such as colour, style, or size.

With such in-depth data, it can identify its bestselling, slowest moving, and most profitable items for all markets, channels and geographic locations, empowering the team to make informed purchasing decisions when growing into other territories and demographics. 

The merchant is approaching its international growth from all angles; introducing Google Workspace to facilitate remote working, a boost in their use of Google Ads and Shopping, and championing the brand’s positive TrustPilot reviews.  

Peter Gough, COO at ROKA London, says: “Inventory Planner is one of the most significant changes we're implementing this year.”

“This platform is a game-changer, it’ll take us to another level. We're reaching a point where stock management and finance are becoming more complex; and we need better insights into our operations and purchasing decisions.”

“Traditionally, we relied on gut feelings and instincts, but now we have data coming into the picture. This will be the next big shift for us.” 

“ROKA London is a hugely successful brand with epic sales results for both B2B and direct-to-consumer” says Justin Press, SVP Customer Success at Inventory Planner.

“Implementing Inventory Planner is a smart, sensible next step for them - allowing them the means to boost digital sales as they expand into more and more territories and demographics.”