Grupo Axo Selects Epicor To Power Retail Operations In Mexico For Internationally Renowned Retail Brands

Technology Will Support Improved Efficiency, Process Standardization and Enhanced Customer Engagement for Grupo Axo’s More Than 500,000 Customers

Epicor Software Corporation, a global leader in business software solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organizations, announced recently that Grupo Axo, the business partner of internationally renowned retail brands within Mexico, has selected the full Epicor Retail Suite to help support its highly successful and expanding retail operations.

A strategic and commercial business partner to many of the world’s most recognized global brands, Grupo Axo lowers the barriers and cost of entry to the Mexican market. Promoting and distributing brands such as Brooks Brothers, Brunello Cucinelli, Chaps, Coach, Crate and Barrel, Emporio Armani, Etro, Express, Guess, Kate Spade, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rapsodia, theory, Thomas Pink, and Tommy Hilfiger, Grupo Axo has 116 store locations, more than 1,500 outlets in major department stores, and over 500,000 loyal customers throughout Mexico.

To further its information technology, retail operations and logistics best practices, Grupo Axo plans to leverage Epicor technology in the areas of Merchandising, Planning/Assortment Planning, Audit and Operations Management, Point of Sale (Store and Mobile Store), CRM, Clienteling, and Enterprise Selling. The Epicor Retail Wholesale product also will be implemented to support Grupo Axo’s free-standing stores as well as point of sale stations found within the country’s major department stores.

“We were looking for a strategic partner, not just an IT partner,” said Carlos Miranda, vice president of Grupo Axo. “After an exhaustive selection process -- where the whole company had input -- we selected Epicor based on the software’s functionality, versatility, speed and innovation, and the company’s in-depth understanding of the retail market and the fashion industry. Moreover, we felt that Epicor was a good fit -- that they understood our company culture and our vision, and would work with us to reengineer our processes to standardize operations and adopt best practices, while respecting the integrity of each brand from a marketing and brand strategy perspective.

“The Epicor platform is flexible enough to handle both fashion and furniture/furnishings, which was very important to us. Furthermore, we needed to integrate with different point of sale terminals throughout the different department stores, and Epicor was able to support this key requirement.”

Leveraging the Epicor Retail Suite, Grupo Axo expects to achieve improved collaboration resulting in less time and effort for all retail operations from closing sales to inventory management. As well, the company will leverage the software to improve efficiencies in planning -- specifically improving visibility in open to buy and replenishment levels across multiple brands.

“Epicor will enable Grupo Axo to manage all of our brands with the same system, while maintaining the integrity and unique brand strategy of each of the brands that we offer,” said Miranda. “The Epicor CRM and Clienteling tools will enable us to know and understand the behaviors of customers of each of our brands, so that we can engage with them and reward and incentivize their loyalty.”

With Epicor Retail Enterprise Selling, Grupo Axo will have a centralized, real-time inventory locator and order management solution that enables any sales channel to find inventory and fulfill orders across the enterprise.

“We’re very excited to partner with Grupo Axo to help enhance the company’s retail presence and drive growth and expansion in Mexico,” said Ian Rawlins, vice president, retail product marketing for Epicor. “Epicor will enable Grupo Axo to streamline retail operations across its entire brand portfolio, supporting improved efficiency, productivity, and customer engagement. Many of the world’s best known retail brands leverage Epicor retail technology to run and drive their operations and now that same technology -- localized for local regions -- is supporting the expansion of their brand presence internationally.