Unifying a franchise network across Sweden

Sportson faced a complex challenge: transforming over 27 stores into a cohesive franchise network under one unified brand. This transformation required not just a consistent customer experience across locations but also a streamlined, scalable IT infrastructure capable of supporting both central and local operations.

Managing orders, whether they came from e-commerce platforms, in-store purchases, or service requests, became increasingly complicated without a single, reliable data source. With multiple systems in place, it was difficult to maintain accurate, real-time visibility into sales, inventory, and order status across the entire network.

The company also needed to optimize its purchasing, warehousing, and logistics processes to improve operational efficiency. An essential part of this was integrating their webshop with their in-store operations, ensuring a seamless experience for customers regardless of how or where they made their purchases.

Ultimately, Sportson's goal was clear: to build a retail infrastructure that could not only meet today’s demands but also scale effortlessly with future growth. However, without a centralized system, achieving this vision was becoming increasingly difficult.

The solution: A flexible platform for growth

Sportson partnered with Heads to implement a retail platform built for agility, efficiency, and scalability. Heads’ commerce platform provided the flexibility needed to align franchise operations while empowering each store to deliver the best service.

Here’s what powered Sportson’s transformation:

• POS system: Heads’ Point of Sale system with advanced order management became the central hub for all orders—whether placed online, in-store, or via the service desk—enabling real-time tracking and effortless management.

• Integrated e-commerce: The webshop was fully integrated with the POS, creating a smooth omnichannel experience where customers could shop online and pick up in-store without delays.

• Service management: The platform’s built-in service management functionality enabled technicians to access, update, and finalize service orders directly from the POS, enhancing customer satisfaction and streamlining workflows.

• ERP system: Heads’ ERP system brought clarity and efficiency to product, purchasing, and inventory management, allowing stores to avoid stock shortages and simplify warehouse operations.

With these tools in place, Sportson didn’t just improve its day-to-day operations; it laid the foundation for future growth.

The impact: A smoother, more efficient retail operation

The collaboration between Sportson and Heads delivered measurable improvements across the entire retail network.

• Frictionless service management: The fully integrated service management system made it easy for staff to handle maintenance tasks from the POS—improving service turnaround times and boosting customer satisfaction.

• Optimized order flows with click-and-collect: With streamlined pickup-in-store flows, online orders were processed quickly, and customers could collect their purchases in-store without confusion or delays.

• Smarter inventory decisions: Real-time insights into inventory levels allowed for better purchasing decisions and minimized stockouts, keeping operations efficient and customers happy.

A partnership built on trust and innovation

Since 2019, Heads has worked closely with Sportson as a strategic and technical partner, providing ongoing support to help the company reach its long-term goals. By collaborating with Sportson’s leadership, Heads continuously fine-tunes systems and processes to drive both sales and operational efficiency.

Together, the two companies are redefining what’s possible in the Swedish bike retail industry—turning ambitious growth plans into operational realities.