The Fragrance Outlet leverages digital to grow in store and online

19-Jan-2017 - Last updated on 19-Jan-2017 at 13:46 GMT

With plans to lift its store count by more than 10% this year and to create a seamless cross-channel shopping experience for consumers, the fragrance and beauty retailer has expanded its deal with tech provider Aptos.

The two companies have a longstanding partnership and have worked together on digital retail solutions for The Fragrance Outlet’s online and in-store business since 2011.

Past success

In June of last year, The Fragrance Outlet implemented Aptos Allocation & Replenishment to digitally manage inventory levels and the attendant costs. Since then, the retailer has lowered warehouse inventory by 22% and at the same time reported positive sales growth. That according to an Aptos press release about this latest initiative.

“Aptos Allocation & Replenishment allowed us to forecast customer demand to identify each store’s unique selling patterns to create the ideal forecast at a SKU level,” explains Matthew Ware, director of retail systems at The Fragrance Outlet, in the release. “This allowed us to lower inventory levels and increase sales and profitability, while elevating customer satisfaction,” adds Ware.

Future tactics

In 2017 The Fragrance Outlet intends to open 10 to 15 more doors, upping the company’s total number of brick-and-mortar retail locations to more than 110.

Along the way, the company will also implement new cloud-based tech solutions in partnership with Aptos. The Fragrance Outlet stores will make use of the firm’s point of sale Aptos Store solution, the transactional data service Aptos Sales Audit, the Aptos CRM (consumer relationship management) tool, as well as the company’s inventory solution known as Aptos Merchandising. These, of course, in addition to the Aptos tech already in use by the retailer.

As the tech company’s CEO Noel Goggin see it, “The Fragrance Outlet understands how to leverage the power of the cloud to engage customers differently and fuel growth.”

“Cloud solutions are extremely agile and scalable in their ability to support new stores, channels and markets,” Goggin explains, “and we look forward to supporting The Fragrance Outlet on its singular commerce journey and plans for expansion.”

The Fragrance Outlet believes these tech updates will benefit not only the company’s bottom line but also be an advantage to the store’s employees and consumers. “We are energized about our extended partnership with Aptos and the ability to provide seamless omni-channel experiences to our customers,” says Scott Kanter, CEO at The Fragrance Outlet.