Valentino's Shops expands retail footprint

Valentino's Shops gears up to expand its retail footprint in Gauteng by implementing the KCS Retail management solution to not only support its growth, but give the shop unique functionality geared towards the specific requirements of a clothing retail chain.

Valentino's Shops is a family-owned business that opened its doors in 1977 as a single store in Westonaria. The business has subsequently grown and branched out, adding a further four independent stores to its expanding retail chain: Bambinos, Jomos Outfitters, Chommies Outfitters and BFO Outlet store.

Valentino's Shops specialises in a number of high-end brands that include the likes of: Puma, Levis, Polo and Soviet, Crockett & Jones, Florsheim, Pringle, Dick Wittington and more. Catering for a large range of brands meant stock management by colour and size was a pivotal requirement in deciding on a retail management solution.

Valentino's Shops.

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Its current system presented a number of challenges:

* It could not categorise stock in the Masterfile;
* It had limitations on the number of sizes in the size curve, and could not specify colours;
* Inadequate reports on vital stock movement data;
* Inaccuracy of reports when enquiring on stock availability; and
* Stock-takes were not user friendly.

Zaheer Salojee, Group Buying Manager, contacted KCS, requesting a demonstration on the KCS Retail solution, thereafter it was decided that the KCS Retail solution was the solution of choice. It is a comprehensive retail management solution for the apparel and footwear industry. It is built on a centralised head-office structure with automated updates between branches and offers rich colour and size matrix with rise per size functionality.

Some of the key features that were fundamental in the decision included:

* Centralised head office control;
* Stock management by colour and size;
* Varied and flexible promotions management;
* Built-in vouchers and gift card functionality;
* Built-in loyalty programme;
* Comprehensive stock count functionality;
* Consolidated reporting by branch, item, colour and size; and
* Interface to leading accounting systems.

Nicolene Pretorius, Stock Controller and Project Team Leader, said: "The KCS team were very helpful and efficient. The training provided was detailed and comprehensive, and covered every aspect of our retail operations. This gave our team confidence to navigate through the implementation process. It was practical and gave the opportunity for our staff to practice while the consultant shadowed us."

Gains and benefits:

* The extensive reporting gives the business accurate information for a comprehensive stock analysis and reports can be run for each store.
* Categorising of stock in the Masterfile enables the business to better identify and manage their stock holding.
* The system is extremely user friendly; with the help of training manuals, the team is able to train internal staff itself.
* Head office has better control over all stores and has improved on assisting the stores in its daily operations.

Nicolene Pretorius, Stock Controller, said: "The KCS Retail solution is very user friendly and very detailed. As a stock controller, reporting is extremely important. I love the reporting as it gives me all the information I need to make sure my stock is correct. I am confident that we have enough information available to provide the management team with a comprehensive set of reports."

Nadine Durst, Sales Executive, said: "It has been a great pleasure working with the Valentino's team, which appointed a good project leader, did adequate preparation for the conversion and, together with the implementation consultants, delivered a smooth transition. We look forward to long-standing relationship with the Valentino's group and supporting their expansion in the near future."