Retail Manager Solutions Ltd. (previously Triangle), the leading provider of retail and store communications solutions, has announced that House of Fraser has implemented its Retail Manager solution to improve communications between its Store Support Centre and department stores while reducing the time and costs involved.

"In terms of revolutionising our Store Support Centre to Store processes, this was a very exciting project," said Jerry Carter, Head of Retail Support, House of Fraser (HoF). "Retail Manager has enabled us to effectively communicate boardroom vision and effectively manage store-side execution." This wide-ranging solution was deployed across 61 stores in just 12 weeks. Project sponsorship came from the top: CEO John King was ultimately accountable for the choice of Retail Manager based on his experiences at Matalan.

Previously, HoF had run into 'classic intranet problems': masses of out-of-date and untargeted content, with no way of handling issues or managing compliance. By contrast, Retail Manager now enables staff to manage product, pricing, promotions, training and general administration across the estate, with all information and functionality provided via a familiar web browser, which made rollout and training easy. The solution was deployed on-time, to budget and delivered even more functionality than anticipated.

Retail Manager supports enhanced retail execution as stores all receive the right messages at the right time; managers and staff no longer waste time looking for information and have greater ownership over how their stores are run, while the Store Support Centre in Baker Street retains control and ensures compliance. Moreover, as HoF introduces more brands into its stores, Retail Manager means staff can support better support them and work more effectively with concessions. The deployment of new initiatives and promotions has speeded up, enabling stores to take full advantage of business opportunities open to them. Jerry Carter adds, "Having launched Retail Manager we are looking at all areas of the business to identify where we could achieve process efficiencies and reduce workload."

Retail Manager is now working for top retailers including Mothercare, The Officers Club, Carpetright, Matalan, The Body Shop, Vision Express, New Look and T-Mobile and is currently being deployed by Comet and Peacocks.

About House of Fraser

House of Fraser is one of the best-known names on the high street and acknowledged home to many of the world's most famous brands. With 63 prestigious stores, over five million square feet of selling space, 9,000 staff and annual sales of more than £1.25 billion, House of Fraser offers customers an unrivalled retail experience. Iceland-based Baugur Group, the international investment company in the retail and fashion sectors, owns the business. With House of Fraser currently experiencing significant change in its business, implementing Retail Manager was a key part of this transformation process.

21st July 2008