UK furniture wholesaler Julian Bowen deploys Slimstock Slim4 supply chain planning platform

Julian Bowen has announced a partnership with Slimstock.

The UK furniture wholesaler is a supply chain partner to retailers, with customers including Next and Dunelm.

Backed by Swedish investment company, Storskogen, Julian Bowen offers customers service from design to doorstep. By adopting Slimstock’s supply chain planning platform, Slim4, the business aims to enhance product availability, underpinning its growth objectives.

Mark Pickup, Buying Director at Julian Bowen, says: “We recognised very quickly that Slimstock would be the perfect partner to help us make a step change in our supply chain planning capability as the retail marketplace evolves rapidly.”

Slimstock will collaborate with Julian Bowen’s planning team to fine-tune demand planning, inventory management and replenishment workflows. Optimising warehouse space is also a key focus for this initiative, allowing further scope for growth without the need for costly relocation.

“We are already a market leader in our sector but, as a growing business with strong development plans, we see this partnership with Slimstock as a key enabler to improve our customer offering and work ever closer with our factory partners," says Morgan Hay, Finance Director at Julian Bowen.

As part of the project, Slimstock will help Julian Bowen manage its rapidly growing product catalogue and design led innovation, while driving greater efficiency throughout the supply chain, and with an emphasis on the end customer delivery and satisfaction.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Supply chain technology will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which are now open for entries, 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 November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.