London-based fashion brand All Saints has chosen Impact Analytics’ AI-based platform to modernise its buying and merchandising planning. Backed by these technologies, the company aims to make faster, smarter and more connected decisions.
Until now, All Saints has primarily relied on spreadsheets and manual processes for data analysis. Decision-making processes were often fragmented. “Teams have to spend so much time manually pulling and analysing data,” explains All Saints CTO Alfie Meekings. The company expects the new solution to eliminate repetitive low-value tasks, enabling merchandisers to make informed decisions more quickly.
Impact Analytics will provide the software as a service via the cloud. The platform offers solutions for allocation and replenishment, as well as for markdowns and optimising promotional prices. Further tools are designed to support assortment and range planning, as well as merchandise financial planning. The software deployment will be rolled out in phases.
Planning cycles to be accelerated
Especially, All Saints aims to accelerate its planning processes. For the weekly trading cadence, teams currently have to start collecting data as early as Sunday in order to have usable results by Monday afternoon. With the help of the provider’s Cortex Eye business intelligence software, these results are set to be available by the start of the working day on Monday morning, broken down by department and team.
The solution utilises agent-based AI. It is designed to interpret changes and identify actual performance drivers. Using so-called Fusion Intelligence, the system aims to connect signals from various areas – such as merchandise management, marketing, stores or the supply chain – as well as factors such as weather or competition. From this complex set of data, the solution aims to provide a clear and easily interpretable story for decision-making.
All Saints aims to continue growing internationally
Artificial intelligence and data-driven working are set to make a significant contribution to All Saints’ transformation, Alfie Meekings emphasises. Founded in 1994, the company has since developed into a global omni-channel brand. It designs complete collections for women’s and men’s fashion, accessories and perfumes. All Saints operates more than 220 of its own stores in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia, as well as an online platform.
In addition, the brand is active in wholesale and as a licensor and franchisor. The company also owns New York-based luxury menswear brand John Varvatos, which operates 21 stores in North America.
