Oracle Media Resource

Oracle Industry Connect, Washington DC- Apparel retailer and wholesaler Perry Ellis International upgraded its major retail systems to Oracle Retail Release 14 to deliver a commerce anywhere experience in which inventory is available to fulfill customer purchases from any channel. The move to this latest release will also unite Perry Ellis' US and European retail stores with a single global instance of Oracle Retail Merchandising System that serves both markets.

As Kevin Thompson, director of application development for Lids Sports Group, told retail attendees of the recent Oracle Industry Connect conference, the retailer has implemented the Micros Locate inventory visibility solution to enable full inventory access at stores. "It's a customer service issue," said Thompson. "We don't want to disappoint customers." Lids uses Locate for order brokering, providing visibility of inventory to other stores and DCs both from the store as well as to customers using one of Lids' e-commerce sites. Store associates are equipped with tablets allowing them "endless aisle" inventory access, and out-of-stock items can be ordered for home shipment at the POS, either from a DC or a nearby store.

A survey by Oracle showed that 83 percent of global respondents want the retailers to invest in technology and 57 percent said converged commerce is the key. Technology has transformed the retail environment and suggests retailers to adapt the new...

A survey by Oracle showed that 83 percent of global respondents want the retailers to invest in technology and 57 percent said converged commerce is the key.

(Scroll to article just below ULTA feature:) Attendees at the annual Oracle event were treated to a number of presentations by retail executives, from companies including: Nordstrom, The Gap, John Lewis, adidas, Academy Sports, Chico's, Lilly Pulitzer and more. Recurring themes for sessions centered around omnichannel strategies and improving the customer experience with comprehensive technology solutions. During keynote sessions, Oracle executives talked about the importance of delivering Commerce Anywhere capabilities to retailers. Mike Webster, SVP and GM, Oracle Retail, noted: "You don't have a big data problem, you have a small insight problem…Big Science is the answer." Jill Puleri, Oracle's new SVP and GM, Global Retail Business Unit, discussed ways retailers are using mobile differently to address five elements of disruption: mobility, data breaches, same-day delivery, wearables and weather.

"Our vision is to become the favorite beauty destination, most loved and admired by guests, associates, communities, partners and investors," Kimbell explained. "It's so critical that when our guests come in they feel like the experience with associates delivering the information, content and experiences on a one-on-one basis is positive."

Oracle Industry Connect 2015 wrapped recently, and best-of-breed retailers and brands including Nordstrom, ULTA Beauty, Adidas, Lilly Pulitzer, Gap, Charming Charlie, and more presented their paths to omni-channel, or as Mike Webster, senior VP and GM retail and hospitality, put it "evolved omni-channel, as it blends digital and physical, because 'it's all retailing.'"

Ulta communicates with shoppers across many channels: mobile, guest services, direct mail, online, email, point of sale and social. So consistent messaging across all platforms is key. "Our core guest is very engaged so she's always looking for new ways to learn more. Integrating all of these touch-points into a unified experience and ensuring she's having a consistent experience from a branding and communications standpoint helps elevate our approach," Kimbell told attendees at the Oracle Industry Connect conference in Washington, D.C. last week.  

A tech-led "invisible hand" is transforming the retail marketplace as consumers reach across borders and channels for new shopping experiences, says a new report. The report from IT provider Oracle, entitled "Retail Without Limits - A Modern Commercial Society", surveyed 500 shoppers in each of ten countries: Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the UK and the US.