New SEKO Store Development Services Helps Expanding Retail Businesses Open Stores Faster Around the Globe

CHICAGO, February 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Secans Global, the leading partner in innovative global turnkey retail expansion, and SEKO Logistics, one of the world's fastest-growing supply chain solutions providers, have created a new joint venture to deliver project and process management solutions to help expanding retail businesses open stores faster, with greater control and cost efficiency, and increasing their sales weeks per store in new markets.

The new SEKO Store Development Services (SDS) joint venture extends SEKO Logistics' foothold in the retail sector which, in September, also saw the launch of SEKO Omni-Channel Logistics, a new integrated eCommerce and logistics division to fast track traditional 'bricks and mortar' retailers into the $1 trillion global eCommerce market.

Launched in the Netherlands in 2000, Secans was founded by a team of store development professionals that understand the expansion challenges facing international retailers and the importance of innovative and customizable supply chain services. Jeroen Scholten, CEO of Secans Global, said: "Store development complexity is increasing all the time, with more diversity in both concepts and brands. Our flexible solutions are designed for any size of retail business, to offer the expertise they need, when and where they need it - limiting risk, increasing speed to market and supporting cost reduction within the store development supply chain. Now we are able to combine Secans' experience in store development with SEKO's own suite of supply chain services to retailers as well as its transport and logistics expertise."

SEKO Store Development Services enables retailers to manage every aspect of a store build around the globe. This includes design and specification, global sourcing, supplier management, demand planning, regulatory and compliance issues, certifications, logistics and transportation across borders - and for some customers, project management of the store build.

Bob van der Putten, Managing Director of SEKO Logistics, Benelux and Germany, added: "SEKO SDS supports growing retailers in major markets in Europe, North America and Asia as well as in developing markets where we can use our expertise and knowledge to help them achieve their new store strategy. This includes markets where it is traditionally more difficult, such as the BRIC countries and the NEXT Eleven countries, notably Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Turkey, South Korea and Vietnam. Our unique expertise in dealing with local rules and regulations make opening new stores much easier for our customers and can ultimately add sales weeks to their schedule. For example, for one of our well-known fashion retail clients, we recently helped them to decrease their total store development costs by over 30%, whilst also enabling them to gain three weeks per store opening at the same time."

SEKO SDS is already working for customers in the fashion, food, health, beauty, luxury and audio visual sectors alongside each of the retail customers' suppliers and uses its IT platform and experience to ensure all of the correct information is provided to avoid delays in transporting materials and equipment into the countries where new stores are preparing to open. This includes everything from master data and specifications, correct packaging and labeling, as well as managing accurate pick-up and delivery timescales.

"In terms of demand planning, our systems help retailers to manage their product movements and inventories, locally or in country, ensuring that delays due to insufficient inventory are minimized. We can also help retail customers with planning and forecasting, taking control of their suppliers as soon as the PO is confirmed, making sure that they deliver what the retailer needs, when and how they need it, so that inventory is always correct at any given time. This efficiency of supply means retailers can move into more complex countries and develop more demanding store concepts whilst maintaining their brand consistency," according to Jeroen Scholten.

SEKO SDS offers a range of freight distribution channels to meet different store development needs, supported by warehouses on all continents linked through one system designed to handle store development equipment and materials. 'White glove' delivery meets the on-site needs of stores, which also have access to full end-to-end visibility of the supply chain.

Using the customized, web-based SDS transportation and logistics technology solution, retail project managers gain a complete end-to-end view of their store development activities. With desktop and mobile applications, SEKO Store Development Services offers a full suite of technology solutions that includes purchase order management, warehouse management, transportation management, and store asset management.  

Retailers can also choose from a range of value-added services, such as construction management to ensure the supply chain fully connects with the build out of a store, a speed to market increase program, global sourcing, a total store development services cost improvement program, new market entry consultancy, Customs and duty management, and compliance and security.  

For more information: http://www.sekologistics.com/en/services/store_development_services  

Contact: Jamie Roche, T: +44(0)1344-631880