Fortnum and Mason achieve dramatic cost savings with Episys

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Fortnum and Mason achieve dramatic cost savings with Episys.

Fortnum and Mason, the prestigious department store located in Piccadilly, London, has achieved a huge reduction in costs from 2 to just 11 pence per sign, for the printing of signage, following the implementation of Retail Enterprise Suite from Episys, a global information technology services company.

The system has also cut the time between requesting a label and actually getting it on to the shop floor.  Paul Symes, Visual Presentation Manager, Fortnum and Mason, said, The versatility of the software means that we are able to produce a wider range of our larger tickets and signage in-store.  This has driven down costs formerly paid to third party signage providers.  We have experienced a vastly improved turnover in ticket production. The system means fewer people are needed to produce tickets and place them on site.  Our seasonal signage is also easier to produce in-store thanks to the design features In Retail Enterprise Suite, and this in turn reflects on the bottom line.

When the VAT reduction came into force, and Fortnum and Mason had to replace its signage, it was able to print signs in-house, which previously had to be produced externally.  This has reduced the cost per sign from 2 to 11 pence.

Retail Enterprise Suite was implemented as part of the refurbishment of Fortnum and Mason.  Symes continued, It was essential that we procured an efficient and comprehensive signage system.  It needed to be integrated to work alongside our existing store management technology, and be flexible enough to produce signage in a variety of styles, backgrounds and sizes.

As part of the refurbishment, the entire lower ground floor of the store was dedicated to produce and provisions, so there was a requirement for small shelf edge style tickets that could be produced very quickly.  Fortnum and Mason wanted a system that could update prices and product nuance descriptions automatically, with the ability to print additional tickets on demand.  The system also had to be easy to operate, and to flexible enough to input information, such as unique product information.

Fortnum and Mason wanted to create uniformity in the way tickets were produced.  It was also important that the correct information appeared on the ticket in the designated space.  Retail Enterprise suite had the functionality to achieve this, allowing templates to be set up, and not allowing redesign functions for certain users.  Essential information also had to be included on the tickets for legal and branding issues, and was sometimes left off with the old system.

Symes concluded, With the new system, we can produce tickets for both new items and existing products with missing labels.  A request is submitted to the ticketing office, or store staff can print for a separate computer and printer, but data can only be altered by the ticketing office, ensuring the information is always up-to-date and costs are controlled.

Peter Lewis, Marketing Director at Episys, said, Were delighted that Fortnum and Mason are enjoying tangible financial benefits by using our system.  At a time when retailers are having to explore all their options when looking for ways to increase profitability, this is an excellent area that real cost savings can be achieved.