Cards Direct’s strapline is ‘Making People Smile’ — a fitting mission for a nationwide greeting cards, gifts and party retailer. As a long-standing technology partner, Advanced Retail were keen to bring a smile to the face of their client too.
In the data-driven world of 21st-century retail, how can a systems provider meaningfully support that mission?
One proven way to put a smile on the face of a multi-site retailer is by helping them unlock simple, low-impact ways to improve sales and profitability — and that’s exactly what Advanced Retail have helped deliver across Cards Direct’s 88 UK stores.
Historically, like many retailers, Cards Direct replenished stores using a regular, planned distribution pattern. While this is operationally efficient, it can be less responsive during peak trading moments, particularly in the run-up to key retail dates such as Mother’s Day, Easter or even Christmas! – when demand changes rapidly.
By harnessing the rich sales and stock data already captured within the Cards Direct EPoS system, Advanced Retail developed a smarter, more responsive replenishment approach. This enabled stores to receive prioritised stock updates based on real-time performance and demand — ensuring popular lines are replenished at the right time, while reducing excess stock of slower-moving lines.
The impact is best summarised by Chirag Kaneria of Cards Direct:
“This new approach ensures our stores are stocked in a timely manner with the products that matter — helping us increase sales and improve margins. At the same time, it reduces the amount of slower-moving stock sitting in stores unnecessarily.”
For a cards and gifting retailer, stock optimisation is vital as major seasonal peaks approach. Lost sales through low availability can’t be recovered once the key date has passed.
As David Billingham at Advanced Retail comments:
“Instead of simply working to fixed routines, this enhanced system enables replenishment based on the evolving needs of each store, at any given time.”
Cards Direct can certainly smile about this efficient, data-driven way of improving performance — all thanks to the expertise and innovation of Advanced Retail.
If you’re facing stock management challenges, why not speak to a systems partner that relishes finding solutions?
David Billingham – db@advanced-retail.co.uk – 07817 268 546
