The Challenges of scaling to become Europe’s largest retail store

Building and maintaining a retail giant like Gekås Ullared comes with its unique set of challenges. The store houses over 150,000 unique articles, covering a vast assortment of products that need to be kept in stock and ready for eager shoppers. This diversity demands a high level of automation to ensure that the shelves are always full, especially during peak seasons.

During these busy periods, the entire store stock is replenished three times a week. This frequent restocking requires efficient tools and systems to manage inventory levels without disrupting the shopping experience.

The sheer volume of transactions at Gekås Ullared is astounding, with the store processing 133 million receipt lines per year. This high transaction volume necessitates a cash register system that is not only fast but also incredibly reliable. Any downtime at the cash register could result in significant revenue losses, with each hour of downtime costing the company over €400,000.

Innovative solutions powering Gekås Ullared

To tackle these challenges head-on, Gekås Ullared leverages the comprehensive capabilities of the Heads commerce platform, utilizing all its modules to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience.

• Point of Sale (POS): The POS system at Gekås Ullared is finely tuned to handle the immense transaction volume with zero downtime since its implementation. This reliability ensures a seamless checkout experience, minimizing wait times and keeping customers satisfied.

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): The ERP system manages purchasing, order processing, and product and stock management. With a high level of automation, the system provides algorithmic order suggestions based on projected sales, ensuring that the store remains well-stocked at all times.

• E-commerce Integration: Gekås Ullared’s online presence complements its physical store, offering customers a unified shopping experience. The Heads commerce platform integrates e-commerce functionalities to manage online orders and in-store pickups efficiently.

• Loyalty Programs: Customer loyalty is fostered through personalized experiences and rewards, driven by data insights and integrated directly into the POS and e-commerce platforms.

• Restaurant Ordering System: To enhance the overall shopping experience, Gekås Ullared also uses a restaurant ordering system that is fully integrated with their POS, allowing for a seamless dining experience within the store.

• Warehouse Management System: The warehouse management system ensures that stock replenishment routines are efficient, using real-time sales data to prioritize replenishment and reduce out-of-stock situations.

The key benefits: efficiency, reliability, and customer satisfaction

The integration of these solutions has brought numerous benefits to Gekås Ullared, ensuring that the store operates like a well-oiled machine. The most notable achievements include:

• Exceptional Uptime: The POS system has achieved zero downtime since its launch, a critical factor in maintaining high customer satisfaction and protecting revenue.

• Optimized Wait Times: The store’s checkout process is streamlined, minimizing customer wait times even during peak hours.

• Efficient Stock Replenishment: Real-time sales data is used to prioritize stock replenishment, ensuring that shelves are never empty and that customers always find what they’re looking for.

• Automated Purchasing: The purchasing system is highly automated, with algorithmic suggestions that forecast demand and maintain optimal stock levels, reducing manual intervention and errors.

A partnership built for long-term success

Since 2003, Heads has been more than just a technology provider for Gekås Ullared; it has been a strategic partner, working closely with the retailer to align with its long-term vision. This partnership is based on a deep understanding of Gekås Ullared’s organizational needs and a commitment to unlocking maximum growth and profitability.

The journey with Gekås Ullared is far from over. With a focus on continuous innovation, Heads is excited to develop and introduce new modules that will further enhance the retail experience and drive future growth. As Gekås Ullared continues to set new benchmarks in the retail industry, we’re proud to be part of their incredible story. Stay tuned for what’s next—this is only the beginning.

Whether you’re in the retail industry or simply fascinated by the world of business, Gekås Ullared’s story is a testament to what’s possible with the right technology and strategic partnerships. Follow along as we continue to explore and share more success stories in the world of retail and beyond.