Central Group to modernise merchandise planning with Aptos technology

Among the top retail and service businesses in Thailand, Central Group will leverage the Aptos Planning solution to support the full spectrum of its planning processes, including merchandise financial planning, open to buy, allocation and replenishment.
The solution will be deployed across two of Central Group’s subsidiaries: Robinson Plc (Robinson) and CRC Sports Co Ltd. Robinson is a popular department store with 49 shops across Thailand, and a popular shopping destination for clothing, cosmetics, accessories and housewares.
CRC Sports is a top sports retailer and distributor in Thailand with more than 200 stores in the country under the SuperSports multi-brand stores, as well as mono-brand outlets such as Crocs, Skechers and New Balance.
Across both the Robinson and CRC Sports businesses, Aptos Planning will support merchandise activities from strategic planning and budgeting, and planning by attributes, to keeping the financial and open to buy controls firmly in place. As product delivery to the store approaches, the allocation and replenishment capabilities will enable Central Group to optimise in-season merchandise management and inventory levels across products and locations to accommodate shifting market dynamics.
“Modern information technology systems empower Central Group to deliver superior value to our customers and support our position as a leader of multi-format, multi-category retailing in Thailand, Southeast Asia and Europe,” said Tony Morton, president of CRC Sports. “When evaluating merchandise planning applications, it was clear to us that Aptos Planning was the best fit for our business based on the solution’s robust and advanced functionality, Aptos’ laser-focus on the retail market, and the vast planning expertise of the Aptos team.
“As Central Group moves forward on its position as a leader in omnichannel retailing, we required a solution that would allow us to optimally manage merchandise across each of our markets, channels and locations, resulting in an improved buying experience for our customers and more profitable collections for the business. Central Group’s retail success is driven by dominant brands, uniquely talented people and modern retail systems; we feel our investment in Aptos is in line with our commitment to retail systems innovation,” Morton said.
Noel Goggin, the Aptos CEO and culture leader, said, “Central Group has been a powerful contributor in Thailand’s economic development for over 70 years and offers a diverse portfolio of market leading businesses in Southeast Asia.
“With retail sales in Southeast Asia expected to almost double in the next five to six years, there is tremendous opportunity for Central Group to capitalise on its retail sector leadership as it pursues growth both at home and internationally. Aptos is proud to partner with Central Group on its growth and modernisation journey, providing the solid foundation it needs to optimise critical retail planning and merchandising functions.”