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Fat Face reports on cloud PoS roll out

Lifestyle clothing retailer installed new BT Expedite hosted, on-demand multichannel till system in time for key Christmas trading

Mobile: Making better connections

A mobile strategy is a tricky call, trying to avoid being intrusive while endeavouring to leverage business results for brands.  Marketing Week bring together a panel of industry experts including Rob Little, head of managed CRM, BT Expedite to discuss.

Fat Face deploys BT cloud POS system

BT Expedite was brought in to deliver its Store 6.3 point of sale system to 206 Fat Face stores across the UK, Ireland and Jersey. The deployment also includes audit and operations management and customer relationship management modules.

Fat Face installs new till system to cope with double-digit growth

The BT Expedite system was installed in time for Christmas 2012 and the retailer says it would not have been able to cope with the growth it experienced over the peak period without it.

BT Expedite chief executive Josh Pert added: “On-demand multichannel POS is the future as it reduces the delivery time and costs for retailers and offers an affordable platform for growth businesses.”

The Co-operative Food invests £6.5m in handheld devices

The Co-operative Food has invested £6.5m in rolling out wireless handheld devices with BT Expedite which will allow the grocer to reduce queueing time at the tills.

BT panel on the importance of supply chain

At this year’s Retail Business Technology Expo, BT looked at how retailers need to evolve their supply chain operations to meet the challenges of omni-channel retailing.  The company launched an exclusive report, Retailtopia2, produced by a panel of respected figures spanning supply chain, logistics, consumer packaged goods manufacturing and retailing. The panel was chaired by supply chain industry figure and GS1 UK chairman, Jim Spittle, FCILT.

Mobile POS: Breaking down barriers

"The store is becoming a collection point, a customer service point and an assisted service point that offers more theatre and interaction for the customer", says Mark Denton, head of consulting at BT Expedite & Fresca.

IT Life: Building Shops In The Cloud

Jonathan Bowen is head of product strategy for e-commerce platform vendor Fresca, whose clients include Oasis and Habitat, which was bought by BT in 2008. Before Fresca, Bowen was product manager, enterprise for BT Expedite. He has a degree in mathematics and statistics from the University of Nottingham

Mega Monday: What to expect from the UK’s busiest day for online sales

As one of the most developed online markets in the world, the UK’s e-commerce sector has remained at the centre of innovation and evolving trends. Speaking on how retailers have embraced e-commerce on all fronts for peak trading, Eddie Dodds, director of infrastructure services at BT Expedite & Fresca said:  “The use of free Wi-Fi in store offers a great opportunity for range extension in certain sub sectors, for example, anything to do with delivering digital assets (such as music or games) to the consumer.

Monday December 3 set to be the biggest cyber shopping day of 2012

Monday December 3 will be the biggest online shopping day of the year, according to a prediction.

The biggest spending day of 2011, according to BT Expedite, was not Cyber Monday, or Boxing Day, but Strike Day – November 30 – when public sector workers around the UK took industrial action.

Brave new world

Vendors have to be flexible. They need to have a chameleon-like response to rapidly changing channels but they also need depth of knowledge about retailing to understand the business and how it is being changed by channel developments.”
Eddie Dodd, director of client management, BT Expedite

POST-PC DESIGN

“It’s clear that ‘responsive design’ is a healthy discussion in helping us understand the need to respond with varying interfaces but the conversation needs to go far beyond this. It’s not just a question of how something looks, it’s a question of how it meets the user’s objectives.”
Ben Morrison, head of web development, BT Fresca

Is self-service fit for purpose?

WHSmith unveiled the roll out of self-service checkouts from supplier NCR earlier this year, using BT Expedite point-of-sale software, and the technology has since been introduced in a number of large high street and airport stores.  The retailer says customer feedback has been positive, with queuing times reduced and no detrimental impact to overall customer service.

Stores go multichannel

Bricks-and-mortar retailers are installing a raft of online technologies to showcase their complete ranges and prevent consumers buying elsewhere after testing products in-store.

BT Expedite chief executive Josh Pert says retailers will still have the upper hand if price comparison is driving showrooming.  “You have the opportunity to get to the customer first, present them with better information and fulfil the product on the spot.

Analysis: How to use technology in stores

A new phrase has emerged in retail over the last year or so – ‘showrooming’, which involves customers using physical stores to check out a product but buying elsewhere, either online or with their mobile phone, because it’s cheaper or more convenient.

BT Expedite chief executive Josh Pert agrees. He says retailers will still have the upper hand if price comparison is driving showrooming. “You have the opportunity to get to the customer first, present them with better information and fulfil the product on the spot. This is a very powerful advantage if you can respond quickly, making sure your staff have the right information in their hands to engage the customer,” he says.

Whistles launches mobile optimised site with shipping to 44 countries

Footballer’s wives favourite clothes store Whistles has unveiled a mobile optimized site to better serve its ever-more multichannel customers.  The site was conceptualized and designed by agency Bureau for Visual Affairs and has been built. Configured, integrated and hosted by BT Fresca using the FrescaCommerce platform.

Joining the dots

Retailers have a wealth of customer data, but using it to offer a truly personal service in-store remains a challenge

BT Expedite, which supplies crm systems to both Burberry and aurora, has implemented its‘clienteling’ application – software that tracks individual customer shopping preferences and at footwear and accessories retailer cole Haan in the us. “the system gives sales associates the customer purchasing history and preferences to enable more personalised recommendations,” says rob Little, head of managed crm at BT Expedite.

A never ending story

Panorama Consulting has found it is ‘distressingly common’ to see ERP projects take longer than anticipated. Glynn Davis investigates how problems like organisational issues and resource constraints can be addressed

Robin Coles, director of supply chain consulting at BT Expedite, suggests there has been a gradual move to introducing a ‘paid requirements phase’ that the retailer funds. It replaces the fight to win a contract with a battle to win the right to set the requirements for the project.

Stepping it up in stores

Retailers are increasingly enhancing the in-store experience through interactive technologies. Liz Morrell looks at what it takes to create a seamless customer journey.

Getting the new approach to the in-store experience right is vital, stresses BT Expedite chief technology officer Steve Thomas, who is responsible for the iPad strategies of a number of leading retailers, including Aurora. “It’s about trying to take as much of the information you can get online into the store so that it’s more of a shared experience rather than simply staff standing behind a till,” he says.

Shoppers take charge

A customer journey may start on Facebook, take in website or mobile app, and finish in-store or on a tablet, ensuring a consistent and seamless experience throughout is a major challenge for retailers.

Jason Shorrock, business development director at BT Fresca, believes that this proliferation of consumer devices and touchpoints is one of the key challenges – as well as opportunities – for retailers.

PayPal inStore, Powered by Eagle Eye Solutions and BT Expedite

Eagle Eye Solutions and BT Expedite have been revealed as the technology partners behind PayPal's in-store mobile payment app, PayPal inStore, which launched in Aurora Fashions stores at the end of last month.

Aurora Fashions activates PayPal payments in stores with new mobile app

The technology for PayPal’s new inStore app has been provided by Eagle Eye Solutions and BT Expedite. It also enables retailers, whose customers have made online purchases using PayPal, to process refunds and exchanges in-store using the original PayPal tender. 

According to PayPal, this offers customers a seamless, omni-channel payment experience, removing previous complexities for retailers to refund online shoppers in-store using the original payment method.

In talks with Robin Coles; BT Multichannel expert

With ‘multichannel’ becoming an ever undefinable term as it has developed to incorporate so many new infrastructures, FashionUnited caught up Robin Coles, BT Expedite Director of Supply Chain Consulting, who as part of BT’s retail business team, has just signed a deal with UK independent footwear retailers, Charles Clinkard, to install its multichannel retailer systems, integrated store and merchandising systems. With 25 years experience of providing retail solutions for some of the UK’s biggest retail houses, including House of Fraser and Aurora Fashions, FashionUnited learnt more on where technology can take retail.

Charles Clinkard selects BT Expedite

BT Expedite today announced a deal with Charles Clinkard, one of the largest independent footwear retailers in the UK. The contract will see BT Expedite install its Connected Retailer multi-channel system, including Mercatus central merchandising, Store 6 point-of-sale, integrated store and Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

Top 12 takeaways from Retail Business Technology Expo 2012

Retail Times editor, Fiona Briggs, reports on her top 12 retail technology finds at the Retail Business Technology Expo at Earls Court, 13-14 March 2012 - 5 of them where from the BT stand!

Store of the future: retail business technology show

Digital signage on store chillers, intelligent trolleys, hot mapping and holograms – yesterday, London Business School professor Patrick Barwise, chairman of Which?, led a panel convened by BT to unveil a vision for retailing: Retailtopia.

FashionUnited caught up with BT Expedite Retail Business Technology Expo speakers

With the much anticipated and developed Retail Technology Expo underway, FashionUnited caught up with Kevin Burns and Geoff Barraclough who will be speaking and presenting an integral new showcase from BT Expedite, entitled 'The Future of Retail- Lighting up the High Street.'

Clarks predicts fewer tills with growth of mobile commerce

Over the next five years shoe retailer Clarks expects to see fewer tills in store as more customers use their smartphones to make on-premise purchases.  The chain has been pursuing a multichannel strategy for the last three years and has connected its BT Expedite electronic point-of-sales (Epos) system to its commerce service platform.

New Head of Multichannel at Snow+Rock talks about e-commerce plans

David Kohn, the new Head of Multichannel at Snow+Rock shares his thoughts on the online opportunities with Emma Gamble, Director at Gamble & Yeates Ltd.  I wasn’t sure about the BT Fresca Platform when I joined but I’ve been pleasantly surprised  as it’s flexible and allows you to do things on your own.

UK shoppers spent more online in 2011

But which was the busiest day of the year online? According to BT Expedite and Fresca, BT’s specialist retail division, that accolade went not to Cyber Monday, or indeed Boxing Day. Rather, it was Strike Day, Wednesday November 30 – or the day that many UK workers took industrial action.

BT: strike action fueled online shopping surge on 30 November 2011

The figures for the Christmas shopping period, from BT’s retail customers, show online sales on 30 November 2011 were up 163% on an average day and 45% higher than the same day last year.

Strike day boost to internet shopping

An analysis by BT, which supplies payment technology to retailers, has concluded the busiest day was November 30 (Read press cutting)

BT Expedite "Public sector strike was top online shopping day"

An analysis by BT has concluded the busiest day for online shopping was November 30, the day public sector workers went on strike about pension cuts.  Richard Vining, head of performance for BT Fresca, said: "Whether or not people were striking or working from home or simply unable to get to work because of the industrial action, it seems many decided November 30 was a good time to do their Christmas shopping online."

BT Expedite showcase 'The Future of Retail' at the Retail Business Technology Expo 2012

BT will be hosting an innovation technology showcase called ‘The Future of Retail – Lighting Up the High Street’ at Retail Business Technology Expo 2012. Delegates will be able to get personalised tours, designed to meet their specific needs and get their hands on some of the technology that will shape retail in the near future.

Top 10 retail IT stories of 2011

Retailers raced to develop multichannel strategies in 2011.  Research from BT Expedite earlier this year found UK retailers plan to spend almost a quarter of their IT budgets on implementing and improving e-commerce and mobile commerce platforms.

Aurora Fashions expects sales to rise by a third with BT Expedite underpinning their new stock management system

Aurora Fashions expects to boost sales across its Coast, Oasis and Warehouse brands by a third as it introduces a stock management and order fulfillment system that it says will turn it from a ‘multichannel’ into an ‘omnichannel’ retailer.

BT appoints Dodd CEO of retail division, Expedite

BT Expedite, BT’s specialist retail division, has promoted Richard Dodd to chief executive officer.  Dodd takes over the position from Rich Lowe who has moved on to become CEO at BT Conferencing.

Ish Patel of Aurora Fashions talks iPads and multichannel

Patel said the company has maximised the benefits of its longstanding relationship with supplier BT Expedite across its channels, including its customer websites and mobile apps, as well as the transactional store iPad development. “Our vision allowed us to also put access to corporate information in the hands of staff on the sales floor and even around the changing rooms,” he said.

Whistles migrates to new logistics and IT system

When Whistles became an independent fashion brand, it had to replace the IT and logistics functions previously provided by Aurora Fashions.

“We needed specialists with expertise in their own fields, and with the ability to integrate with other parties. Pulling together as a team was essential. Retail Assist and BT Expedite had previously worked side-by-side at Rubicon and Aurora. What’s more, Merret and the BT Fresca platform were already integrated, so that all helped,” says Mold.

The Range launches new ecommerce website as it expands its store network

The new site, created and hosted by BT Fresca on its FrescaCommerce platform, is unveiled at a time when The Range aims to have 60 stores by the end of the year, with 20 more planned for 2012.

BT Expedite & Fresca and Thomas Pink win SME retailer of the year and get nominated for two other Retail Systems awards 2011

We are pleased to announce that Thomas Pink along with BT Expedite & Fresca have won the SME retailer of the year award at last night's Retail Systems Awards 2011, as well as being short listed for 2 additional awards: Supply Chain Solution of the Year & IT Project of the Year. 

The Range revamps website

The site, built by BT Fresca, features a “more sophisticated customer facing functionality with a modern look”.  The Range said it is easier to navigate and is full of “great content that is easier to navigate”.

The retailer’s revamped website includes  an improved store finder, a wish list option, products suggestions and customer product reviews.

Oasis & BT Expedite set to revolutionise British High Street with iPads in changing rooms and clothes delivered at touch of button

The store has put digital technology at the heart of the shopping experience, with the goal being to 'provide the best customer service on the high street.'  To eradicate lengthy queues, a suite of mobile iPads equipped to handle transactions outnumber the tills on offer, and also allow customers to flick through the brand's online look book.

Oasis introduces iPad shopping instore with BT Expedite

To date Oasis is currently the only fashion retailer to offer this new digital ordering service. But since opening earlier this week, the central London store has taken an average of 20% of its sales though iPads each day (£7,000 worth in the last four days), so their brand's digital makeover may catch on elsewhere on the high street. Oasis intend to roll out the new ordering and delivery service nationwide.

Oasis introduces digital shopping to its stores, with Ipad Pos from BT Expedite

The new store’s focus is on providing “the best customer service on the high street,” delivered through technology including mobile iPads from BT Expedite that can handle transactions as well as offering customers the chance to see its latest online Lookbook.

Ish Patel talks Aurora's Ipad Pos system, BT Expedite and multichannel

“The remarkable thing about this new technology has in many ways been the ease and rapid implementation. We first met with our wireless network provider, BT Expedite, in May to look into research. What we drew from it was the overall feeling from consumers of wanting the same brand experience across all channels - It’s remained a focus throughout the project.  And 10 weeks on the service is now integrated in 8 ‘trial’ stores across London and Oxford.”

Delivering the goods

“Retail merchandising systems are like the plumbing and wiring of a building. Just because you expand into the loft you don’t put in separate wiring. You need to integrate the ecommerce platform with existing retail merchandising systems to meet supply chain needs” Robin Cole, director of supply chain consulting, BT Expedite

What's your line?

Large and mature retailers tend to have their own in-house ecommerce teams, arguably a prerequisite to making larger systems work. But mid-tier businesses with smaller or no ecommerce team may well prefer to use a hosted solution.  There, says Giles Delafeld, group ecommerce director, Alexon Group, options would include BT Fresca or Venda. Such solutions, he suggests, would provide a richer customer experience straight from the box. Importantly, “They would be available at a cost that is appropriate to that size of business.”

Putting products in their best light

Choosing the right ecommerce platform ensures customers have a consistent experience online, locating relevant products quickly and easily, and feeling well served by their trusted etailer.  BT’s FrescaCommerce platform is a hosted and managed platform used by the likes of New Look, Mothercare, Aurora and JJB Sports which has this flexible option. Justin Lord, head of business development for BT Fresca says helping retailers optimise their merchandising techniques is part of that service,

Head in the clouds

As IT budgets come under even greater strain, Jessica Twentyman asks if cloud computing can really help save money? And Crabtree & Evelyn explain how with BT Expedite's point-of-sale systems they get a lot more for their money.

Aurora Fashions roll out iPad enabled PoS system with BT Expedite

Fans of Coast, Oasis, Warehouse and Karen Millen can now buy clothes in-store using fashion retail’s first iPad-enabled point of sale (PoS) system, supplied by BT Expedite, BT’s specialist retail division.

Retailer Aurora & BT Expedite gives iPads to shopfloor sales staff to check stock and shorten queue times

Ish Patel, Group Strategic Development director at Aurora Fashions, said: "The iPad PoS is part of Aurora's commitment to be at the forefront of multichannel retailing and this initiative starts to merge digital commerce with physical retailing to create a seamless experience."

Aurora deploy UK's first iPad PoS with BT Expedite

Fans of Coast, Oasis, Warehouse and Karen Millen can now buy clothes in-store using fashion retail’s first iPad-enabled point of sale (PoS) system, supplied by BT Expedite, BT’s specialist retail division. The new system offers an enhanced customer experience across channels by enabling sales associates to quickly and easily access the brands’ websites anywhere in-store.

Mobile goes mainstream

After years of hype, momentum is building behind m-commerce.  Glynn Davies finds out how retailers are capitalising on mobile.

Whistle while you work

Womenswear retailer Whistles only recently became operationally independent of former owner Aurora Fashions. Rebecca Thomson finds out how the IT team managed the transition

Aurora gets closer to self-checkout as it trials mobile payment in shops

Staff can scan products anywhere in the store using a scanner worn around the neck. The system, provided by BT Expedite, then allows the transaction to be completed at the till point with an iPad connecting to the Chip & PIN device via a Wi-Fi network. It is designed to axe queues as staff take customers directly to pay once the product has been scanned.

Why selling software could help cash-strapped retailers

Last year, the Co-operative (with BT Learn Diverse) developed an online training and communication portal, which helps staff keep track of training courses they’ve attended, hours they’ve worked, paperwork that needs to be filled in and inductions that need to be done. Store operations and procedural manuals are being uploaded to the system as well.

Aurora Fashions extends ecommerce tie-up with BT Fresca

Aurora Fashions, parent company to brands including Coast, Karen Millen and Oasis, has extended its partnership with BT Fresca by a further 5 years.

Multichannel with a one-track mind

Robin Cole, director of supply chain consulting at BT Expedite, says: “Stock needs to be seen as an enterprise resource, available to all channels at all times. Rapid replenishment and easy inter-branch transfers mean the store can be a shop window with much lower stockholding and shoppers confident that if the item they want isn’t available there it can either be sent for home delivery or collected at the store next day or even within a few hours.

How to cope as budgets shrink

IT budgets have fallen to a record low. Rebecca Thomson finds out how IT directors are ensuring projects remain value for money

The five steps to successful international e-commerce

Three key areas are important when building a brand: customer experience; cross-channel commerce; international commerce. International commerce requires the use of local languages, currency, payment methods and hosting. And, as the internet has few boundaries, international expansion has really taken off.

Turn on the Google Box

As Smart TV connects our televisions to the internet, it heralds a world where viewers can click-to-buy.  What are the advertising opportunities on offer to retailers?

2011 worst year for retail IT investment since records began

The sales slump gripping the UK retail industry has led to a squeeze on technology investment, with forecast expenditure on new IT systems for 2011-2012 dropping to one per cent of retailers' total sales revenue on average, the lowest since research firm Martec International first started compiling records nine years ago.

UK retailers to spend quarter of IT budget on e-commerce and mobile platforms

UK retailers plan to spend almost a quarter of IT budgets on implementing and improving e-commerce and mobile commerce platforms. The latest annual IT in Retail report by Martec International, sponsored by BT Expedite, shows the UK's top 100 retailers' IT investment in e-commerce and m-commerce has grown from 17% last year to 23% in 2011.

A future proof of investment

With technology changing so fast, choosing what to invest in can be a minefield for retailers hoping to latch onto the next big thing. Rebecca Thomson considers how to predict future hits and misses...

Lyle & Scott launch Facebook store

Lyle & Scott recently launched its first social media commerce store. The new application by e-commerce specialists BT Fresca means customers can now make purchases with the Scottish fashion brand on Facebook.

Rich Media World

Cross-channel is no longer a matter or store, mail order or online, it can embrace mobile, social media, TV and much more. How can retailers make the most of these numerous inputs and attributes to deliver a consistent experience?

Check it out

Retailers with difficult web payment processes are losing customers. Rebecca Thomson considers how to keep online shoppers happy...

BT Expedite CEO Rich Lowe - interview

Why WiFi will win

Crabtree & Evelyn kicks off five-year digital marketing plan

Paid in full

BT pools access, services and apps to boost customer experience

High Street customers look for more rewarding shopping experience

Lyle & Scott appoints BT Expedite as it readies social media stores

Pets at Home teams with BT for iPhone app

iPad in retail

m-commerce: Ringing the Changes - Top five tips for creating a mobile strategy

Mobile: Retail tool of the future?

The Future of EPoS

Product Lifecycle Management: Chasing Kate - Retailers should cash in on the new interest in Kate Middleton’s wardrobe. But how can the vital speed to market be achieved?

2010 Retail Systems Awards review - Winning formulas

Multi-channel retailing supplement, multi-channel retailing: overview – Moving targets

Fashion CIOs team up to maximise retail opportunities

Take the pain out of training seasonal staff

Lyle & Scott gives young casuals transactional m-optimized website

Co-op installs new training programme

Driving loyalty and footfall through mobile commerce. Mobile retail is empowering consumers, but it can be a positive tool for retailers.

How to collaborate: Six lessons from BT Expedite

Loyalty is mobile’s key retail role – video interview with BT Expedite’s Richard Dodd and Steve Thomas

2010 Retail Systems Awards: winners announced

Karen Millen launches SMS gift vouchers

Multichannel/E-commerce Top 70 Survey

Spend & Save

Despite their budgets remaining depressed, the IT directors who joined Retail Week and BT Expedite to discuss their plans were upbeat on what can be achieved

Retail CIOs collaborate to keep innovating through recession

New ecommerce website for Farrow & Ball

Ecommerce technology is retail investment priority: report

Retailers' IT spending stagnates in 2010

Retail's fastest growing sales channel

BT Fresca digs deep for website launch