US-based speciality lighting retailer Lamps Plus taps Manhattan Associates supply chain technology

Lamps Plus has implemented Manhattan Associates' Demand Forecasting and Inventory Optimisation solution (DFIO).

“Given the complexity and interdependence of demand forecasting and inventory management, and the critical importance of getting it right, we knew our legacy approach was no longer adequate to serve our business needs,” says Bill Gratke, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lamps Plus.

“Through our 17-year relationship with Manhattan, they’ve delivered time and again, which made this decision that much easier. This implementation was among the smoothest we’ve experienced, completed flawlessly in under six months.”

In addition to Demand Forecasting and Inventory Optimisation, Lamps Plus has implemented Manhattan Active Point of Sale, Store Inventory & Fulfillment, Order Management, Warehouse Management, Labour Management, and Slotting Optimisation.

It has implemented Manhattan’s DFIO solution at its US West Coast fulfillment centre that serves its e-commerce channel as well as its 31 stores. A second FC on the East Coast will go live in the first half of 2025. It includes Manhattan’s Unified Forecasting Method, statistical modeling designed to ensure the ideal state of “right inventory, right place, right time,” all the time.

As seasonality is a major factor in Lamps Plus’s business, the DFIO solution builds simulations that model the impact of seasonal demand on forecast accuracy before profiles are updated. With the improved forecast accuracy, Lamps Plus can confidently place orders months in advance to replenish stocks in late Q1/early Q2 2025, after the Chinese New Year vendor shutdown period.

E-commerce represents a significant portion of Lamps Plus sales, and the company uses a shared inventory pool approach. With DFIO live at the FCs, it will be able to meet or exceed its fulfillment service levels while running leaner on inventory, saving on carrying costs and other operational expenses.

“We’ve had a long and successful partnership with Lamps Plus, including many successful transformational software projects,” says Stewart Gantt, Executive Vice President, Professional Services at Manhattan Associates. “With the addition of our DFIO solution, this leading retailer has improved its forecasting, providing significant gains in inventory segmentation and available to commerce (ATC) visibility.”

2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Supply chain technology was a key focus area at the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, sponsored by Vista Technology Support, Scala, CADS, 3D Cloud, Brightpearl by Sage’s Lightning 50, Business France, and Retail Technology Show 2025, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended last month’s gathering.