Carrefour Italy has selected forecasting and replenishment software from Relex. With the move, the retailer, that French Carrefour Group is currently selling to Italian food manufacturer New Princes, aims to reduce inventory while increasing product availability and better adapting its food and non-food assortments to local needs.
The new solution replaces a legacy system based on customised tools and manual processes. It will be deployed across the entire country organisation with nearly 1,200 stores, including hypermarkets, supermarkets as well as proxiity stores, which are supplied from seven logistics centres. The introduction of automated replenishment is part of an initiative to transform Carrefour Italy into a digital retail company by 2026.
By opting for a unified platform for forecasting and replenishment, the company expects greater transparency along the supply chain, consistent planning processes and faster decisions. “With Relex, we are ready to further improve these processes, enhancing customer satisfaction across all our sales channels, increasing forecast accuracy, and optimizing our replenishment operations,” explains Alessandra Iacovelli, CIO, IT, Data, Security & Digital Transformation Director at Carrefour Italy.
Platform allows for advanced planning methods
Carrefour opted for Relex as it enables planning for all product categories on a uniform platform. The solution is particularly suitable for products with a short shelf life. Moreover, the software supports adoption of advanced planning methods, for example, recipe-based forecasts.
For this, the system collects recipe information such as ingredients, quantities, preparation methods and associated costs. The software uses the data to better predict demand for ingredients based on sales forecasts for finished products. This should help to optimise inventory levels and reduce waste. The method is particularly beneficial for delicatessen or bakery products, where quality control and perishability are important factors.
New owner for Carrefour Italy
The decision to adopt the new planning software was made against the backdrop of a planned change of ownership. In July, French Carrefour Group announced that it would sell its entire Italian subsidiary to local food producer New Princes.
Carrefour Italy recorded declining sales last year and repeated negative operating results in a difficult and competitive market. The company expects the transaction to be completed by the end of this year. For a transitional period, the Carrefour branding will remain in Italy.
