COOP achieves 50% efficiency gains by utilizing SAP Fiori & Neptune Software’s low code platform across its 1,250 retail stores

CHALLENGES

– Consolidate multiple apps and portals into one single point of entry for all ordering
– Adopt an entirely new way of working
– Provide significant amount of relevant info to users at the touch of a button

SOLUTIONS

– Single application that manages the entire ordering process
– Automate ordering and provide users with intelligent order proposals
– Improve visibility of all incoming orders
– Provide a view of all stock within supply chain

– Quick to market rollout to full store network

BENEFITS

– Improved shelf availability leading to increased sales and profits with annual savings of approx. €30m

– Improved store efficiency by 50% due to process automation
– Reduced working capital due to reduction in overstock
– Reduced wastage leading to increased profits
– Reduction in complexity freed up time to focus on in store customer experience

Image: A store from COOP Norge that is now using new mobile apps

The Story

Prior to the implementation of the new store apps, managing orders and inventory were demanding and complex tasks, requiring stores to manage processes across various systems, portals, and applications. The process itself was extremely manual with very little system support, thus leading to significant problems in relation to store stock. The objective of the overall programme was to generate savings of approx. €30m per year by improving stock availability and therefore increase both revenues and operational profits through a combination of reducing overstocks, out of stocks and wastage in stores.
To enable this, stores would be supplied with SAP Fiori and Neptune Software applications built on the low-code app development platform Neptune DXP. This would consolidate and automate the ordering and inventory management processes through providing accurate order proposals that are based on intelligent forecasting and replenishment tools, thus transforming their ways of working.

Intelligent ordering and increased stock availability
Due to the tight time frames as well as the importance of performance and offline capabilities, the team adopted an agile/prototyping approach, to deliver a holistic SAP Fiori and Neptune Software User Experience (UX).
With the apps successfully rolled out in under three months to all of Coop Norge’s 1,250 stores, the new functionality and changes to the ways of working in stores have had a significant impact on store efficiency as well as providing substantial financial benefits across the organisation.
Stores now spend on average 50% less time on tasks related to ordering & inventory. In addition, the apps support store decision making through applying intelligent sorting functionality designed specifically to highlight any potential anomalies or issues and provide users with the tools and information to support them.
As a result of the changes implemented as part of the program, Coop Norge has benefitted from substantial improvements to stock availability, drastically improving sales potentials through the improved forecasting capabilities and provision of accurate proposals.

“The store apps we deployed together with retailsolutions [Neptune Software Partner] were received so well that store managers and franchisees have actually called me to tell me how happy they were with them and how much easier it makes their lives. Usually, they are a bit harder to please. “ Stein Johnsen, Project Manager Coop Norge