2010 Fusion Awards
THE 2010 FUSION AWARDS are designed to recognize retail companies that are category leaders, successful performers and technology innovators, specifically in the area of cross-channel excellence and fusing IT solutions with business strategy.
This year’s four Fusion Award winners are the result of a year-long process that involves reaching out to select retailers, RIS Editorial Advisory Board members, analysts and technology vendors. More than 30 nominations were evaluated, and after the finalists were selected winners were chosen by the RIS editorial team.
The winners were honored in a live presentation at the RIS Cross-Channel Executive Summit, which took place as this issue was going to print. Here are the 2010 winners:
CABELA’S
CROSS-CHANNEL INTEGRATION
OUTDOOR SPORTING GOODS RETAILER CABELA’S operates 30 stores in 20 states. Its immense stores include such features as waterfalls, mountain replicas, aquariums, in-store shooting galleries, and banquet and meeting facilities. Many stores are among the top tourist attractions in states such as Kansas and Minnesota.
Cabela’s sells footwear, clothing and gear for fishing, hunting, camping and other outdoor activities. It mails more than 130 million catalogs each year, and, of course, sells merchandise online. Despite the challenging economy, Cabela’s has averaged nearly a 10% revenue growth rate for the last five years.
Cabela’s was selected as a Fusion Award winner because of a massive multi-channel merchandise planning and cross-channel integration project it recently undertook (and is still undertaking). The mission of the project is to move from being a catalog-oriented organization to a true cross-channel retailer.
While this is a multi-phase project, a great deal of work has already been completed, such as SKU rationalization and customization of the merchandising platform. When the project is complete the aim is to create a customer-centric approach with seamless integration across all channels including catalog, online, stores and a banking subsidiary.
David’s Bridal
Cross-Channel Customer Experience
DAVID’S BRIDAL is the largest retail chain specializing in bridal gowns and wedding accessories, but it also carries clothing for proms, communions and QuinceaÑeras. The typical David’s Bridal store carries more than 2,500 gowns.
David’s Bridal has more than 300 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, online and catalog sales, and exclusive partnerships with Kohl’s, The Men’s Wearhouse and Shutterfly.com.
Despite the economic downturn David’s Bridal continues to open stores and expand its online capabilities. Last year, it launched its Style Council online feature, which spotlights industry experts, celebrity stylists, blogs and podcasts for beauty and fashion aficionados. It also offers a Spanish-language Web site for Latina brides, which also sells QuinceaÑera gowns and communion dresses.
As part of its growth strategy David’s Bridal launched a major e-commerce replatforming program to accommodate new capabilities and create a foundation for agility today and flexibility in the future. Major components of the program include master data management, relevant search and increased marketing functions for a Web site that is a major revenue
generator.
Best Buy
Cross-Channel Innovation
BEST BUY operates more than 1,400 stores in the U.S. and Canada and another 2,600 stores in Europe, China and Turkey. It is the dominant player in consumer electronics and has continued to show remarkable business performance resiliency, averaging more than a 10% revenue growth rate over the past five years, going from $31 billion in 2006 to $50 billion today.
In addition to selling electronic products and appliances, Best Buy offers installation and maintenance services, technical support, and subscriptions for cell phone and Internet services. Other retail concepts it operates include: Magnolia Audio and Video stores and Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers.
Best Buy was selected as an award winner because it continues to transform its business model from a multi-channel customer shopping experience to a seamless cross-channel brand. In 2010, the company expanded its in-store pickup capabilities to include alternate store pickup, ship to store, friends and family pickup, and warehouse pickup fulfillment options, as well as adding mobile access to these options.
It has also developed a cross-channel out-of-stock and special order solution to satisfy consumers from all channels of interaction. To make these customer benefits happen Best Buy integrated multiple supply chain and order management systems into a centralized system that seamlessly operates in distributed channels.
Moosejaw Mountaineering
Cross-Channel SMB
THE STATED AIM OF MOOSEJAW MOUNTAINEERING is to make shopping as much fun as, say, backpacking the Chilkoot trail, climbing in Yosemite, mountaineering in the Himalayas or playing Red Rover with the neighbors.
That’s a typical Moosejaw-style marketing message and fits a retailer that engages in the retail of outdoor gear and apparel, which includes clothing, footwear and accessories plus such specialty gear as hiking shoes, mountaineering boots, rock climbing shoes, snowboard boots and camping gear.
The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan. It is a Fusion Award winner because it has made its Web site a go-to destination for young, hip high school and college students as well as for hard-core outdoor enthusiasts by embedding rich community features into its online experience. It attracts visitors to its community features by telling them not to click on the Moosejaw Madness button if they might be offended by ridiculous commentary. Who can resist an invitation like that?
Moosejaw has made multi-channel “social commerce” a cornerstone of its growth strategy, and providing customers with a superior experience through true cross-channel integration. Recently, Moosejaw moved customer interactions to a single platform to create a customer-centric experience that makes the best features of each channel available in all channels
This year’s four Fusion Award winners are the result of a year-long process that involves reaching out to select retailers, RIS Editorial Advisory Board members, analysts and technology vendors. More than 30 nominations were evaluated, and after the finalists were selected winners were chosen by the RIS editorial team.
The winners were honored in a live presentation at the RIS Cross-Channel Executive Summit, which took place as this issue was going to print. Here are the 2010 winners:
CABELA’SCROSS-CHANNEL INTEGRATION
- 30 STORES IN 20 STATES
- 130 MILLION CATALOGS PER YEAR
- $2.6 BILLION IN REVENUE
OUTDOOR SPORTING GOODS RETAILER CABELA’S operates 30 stores in 20 states. Its immense stores include such features as waterfalls, mountain replicas, aquariums, in-store shooting galleries, and banquet and meeting facilities. Many stores are among the top tourist attractions in states such as Kansas and Minnesota.
Cabela’s sells footwear, clothing and gear for fishing, hunting, camping and other outdoor activities. It mails more than 130 million catalogs each year, and, of course, sells merchandise online. Despite the challenging economy, Cabela’s has averaged nearly a 10% revenue growth rate for the last five years.
Cabela’s was selected as a Fusion Award winner because of a massive multi-channel merchandise planning and cross-channel integration project it recently undertook (and is still undertaking). The mission of the project is to move from being a catalog-oriented organization to a true cross-channel retailer.
While this is a multi-phase project, a great deal of work has already been completed, such as SKU rationalization and customization of the merchandising platform. When the project is complete the aim is to create a customer-centric approach with seamless integration across all channels including catalog, online, stores and a banking subsidiary.
David’s BridalCross-Channel Customer Experience
- 300 stores
- 2,500 gowns in each store
- Launched online Style Council in 2009
- Launched Spanish language site 2009
DAVID’S BRIDAL is the largest retail chain specializing in bridal gowns and wedding accessories, but it also carries clothing for proms, communions and QuinceaÑeras. The typical David’s Bridal store carries more than 2,500 gowns.
David’s Bridal has more than 300 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, online and catalog sales, and exclusive partnerships with Kohl’s, The Men’s Wearhouse and Shutterfly.com.
Despite the economic downturn David’s Bridal continues to open stores and expand its online capabilities. Last year, it launched its Style Council online feature, which spotlights industry experts, celebrity stylists, blogs and podcasts for beauty and fashion aficionados. It also offers a Spanish-language Web site for Latina brides, which also sells QuinceaÑera gowns and communion dresses.
As part of its growth strategy David’s Bridal launched a major e-commerce replatforming program to accommodate new capabilities and create a foundation for agility today and flexibility in the future. Major components of the program include master data management, relevant search and increased marketing functions for a Web site that is a major revenue
generator.
Best BuyCross-Channel Innovation
- $50 billion in revenue
- 4,000 stores worldwide
- Operates 35 kitchen and bath centers
BEST BUY operates more than 1,400 stores in the U.S. and Canada and another 2,600 stores in Europe, China and Turkey. It is the dominant player in consumer electronics and has continued to show remarkable business performance resiliency, averaging more than a 10% revenue growth rate over the past five years, going from $31 billion in 2006 to $50 billion today.
In addition to selling electronic products and appliances, Best Buy offers installation and maintenance services, technical support, and subscriptions for cell phone and Internet services. Other retail concepts it operates include: Magnolia Audio and Video stores and Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers.
Best Buy was selected as an award winner because it continues to transform its business model from a multi-channel customer shopping experience to a seamless cross-channel brand. In 2010, the company expanded its in-store pickup capabilities to include alternate store pickup, ship to store, friends and family pickup, and warehouse pickup fulfillment options, as well as adding mobile access to these options.
It has also developed a cross-channel out-of-stock and special order solution to satisfy consumers from all channels of interaction. To make these customer benefits happen Best Buy integrated multiple supply chain and order management systems into a centralized system that seamlessly operates in distributed channels.
Moosejaw MountaineeringCross-Channel SMB
- Founded in 1992
- Privately held
- Headquarters in Madison Heights, Michigan
THE STATED AIM OF MOOSEJAW MOUNTAINEERING is to make shopping as much fun as, say, backpacking the Chilkoot trail, climbing in Yosemite, mountaineering in the Himalayas or playing Red Rover with the neighbors.
That’s a typical Moosejaw-style marketing message and fits a retailer that engages in the retail of outdoor gear and apparel, which includes clothing, footwear and accessories plus such specialty gear as hiking shoes, mountaineering boots, rock climbing shoes, snowboard boots and camping gear.
The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan. It is a Fusion Award winner because it has made its Web site a go-to destination for young, hip high school and college students as well as for hard-core outdoor enthusiasts by embedding rich community features into its online experience. It attracts visitors to its community features by telling them not to click on the Moosejaw Madness button if they might be offended by ridiculous commentary. Who can resist an invitation like that?
Moosejaw has made multi-channel “social commerce” a cornerstone of its growth strategy, and providing customers with a superior experience through true cross-channel integration. Recently, Moosejaw moved customer interactions to a single platform to create a customer-centric experience that makes the best features of each channel available in all channels