Tech Tuesdays: Bata Taps Blue Yonder + More News
The footwear brand Bata has tapped Blue Yonder to “digitally transform” its product replenishment and merchandising planning. The supply chain solutions company said that Bata will implement its SaaS-based allocation and replenishment solution “to meet diverse customer demand and business goals.”
Barbara Franceschetto, global chief product officer at Bata, said the brand has “always been dedicated to providing quality footwear, and this collaboration with Blue Yonder aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence. With Blue Yonder, we will redefine our landscape, setting new standards in innovation, sustainability and customer satisfaction.”
Optimizing its supply chain is a smart investment for Bata as the brand moves over 150 million pairs of footwear annually through more than 5,300 stores, globally. “The company’s shoes are found in 70-plus countries across five continents,” Blue Yonder said in a statement. “Bata was struggling with how to best allocate its products whether in its individual stores or commerce channels, so it turned to Blue Yonder.”
Expected outcomes of the implementation include improving the distribution of products according to customer need, “taking the shopping experience to new heights,” Blue Yonder said, adding that Bata will be able to streamline operations and optimize various processes as well as deliver products more efficiently. The brand will also “ensure fulfillment locations (whether stores or commerce channels) are proactively restocked.”
“Bata understands the importance of meeting customer demands effectively. They needed a supply chain solutions provider to meet their current and future retailing needs. Our Blue Yonder solution will allow them to truly transform how they allocate and replenish merchandise to meet their consumer needs,” said Vince Beacom, senior vice president of retail at Blue Yonder.
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Manhattan Associates Inc. said it is now offering enhanced returns management capabilities aimed at streamlining and optimizing the returns process “and deliver a frictionless experience for both consumers and retailers,” the company said in a statement, adding that the new returns feature “strengthens customer loyalty by creating a frictionless experience, promoting an increase in-store traffic and cross-selling opportunities.”
This is good news for footwear retailers as returns are often a pain point for customers and brands. The impetus for offering more enhanced capabilities is rooted in Manhattan’s recent unified commerce benchmark report that showed 41 percent of consumer respondents “find the returns process very time-consuming, and 96 percent would buy again from retailers that offer a smooth experience.”
The tech company said with the new capabilities, consumers can pick their most convenient way to return products (in-store or online as well as with printer-less options). “Refunds or exchanges will be processed as soon as carriers scan the package – three to five days faster than most retailers,” the company said.
Ellie Crawford, director of product management for Manhattan, said for consumers today, “experience beats products. Returns are an inconvenience to consumers and a high cost for retailers, and our enhanced returns management capabilities help retailers provide a world-class experience to their customers even after the sale, strengthening loyalty and, in turn, profitability.”
Wait, what? Xbox has its own branded credit card? Xbox, Barclays and Mastercard said they have partnered to offer “the Xbox Mastercard, Xbox’s first-ever co-branded credit card in the United States.”
The companies said the no-annual-fee card “provides players with best-of-both-worlds value they need for gaming and everyday purchases, including points to redeem on Xbox games and add-ons, select streaming and dining delivery services, and more.”
The companies said Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank will issue the Xbox Mastercard, which “will be available on Sept. 21 exclusively to qualified Xbox Insiders across all 50 states, with availability open to the general public in the U.S. in 2024.”
The card comes with many benefits and is aimed at Xbox gamers, of course. “We’ve heard feedback from the Xbox community that they want more ways to get value for their purchases,” said Dave McCarthy, CVP Xbox Player Services. “We’re excited to partner with Barclays and Mastercard to expand the ways Xbox players can earn rewards for gaming.”