Sears Canada has teamed up with CommerceHub to provide supplier integration to build its drop-ship supplier network. CommerceHub will provide a direct connection to Sears Canada's existing order management systems for processing purchase orders, order acknowledgements, inventory and fulfillment data with drop-ship suppliers.

"We are building a drop-ship network as part of our online strategy to increase product selection and inventory efficiency," said Simon Rodrigue, Sears Canada AVP of E-Commerce. "We selected the CommerceHub platform to reliably integrate our existing systems with new and current suppliers."

Sears Canada now has the ability to bring on new suppliers and expand product selection with all its suppliers without incurring inventory and handling costs. The Sears Canada drop-ship supplier network enables orders to be sent directly to suppliers, manufacturers and distributors who then fulfill and ship the merchandise directly to customers.

The Supply-on-Demand platform also enables purchase orders to be sent to each supplier with all the information required to create customized Sears Canada branded packing slips for direct-ship customer orders..
 

Tommy Hilfiger announces the launch of Tommy Hilfiger for iPhone, a downloadable mobile shopping application available via iTunes and Apple's App Store, in partnership with ATG. The application, built on ATG Mobile for iPhone and iPod touch, lets consumers explore, search, and purchase Tommy Hilfiger anytime, anywhere.

After downloading the free application, shoppers can:

- Browse the complete Tommy Hilfiger collection with a flick and a scroll
- Use search and filters to easily find the latest styles in their favorite category, size or price range
- Touch, pan and zoom images to view intricate product and outfit details
- Add their favorite items to a cart and easily checkout with quick-fill capabilities to enter shipping and billing information
- Register to receive news on the latest products and initiatives available when shopping online or via a mobile device

The new Tommy Hilfiger application connects consumers through the Web, iPhone and/or iPod touch to the Tommy Hilfiger stores as if they were experiencing the stores in-person. If shoppers can't find an item in the local store, they can check availability on the iPhone and place an order. To make shopping as convenient as possible, shopping carts will follow consumers, regardless if they start online or on their iPhone. If an item is out-of-stock, shoppers can sign up for push notifications directly to their iPhones.

"Our customers are already using iPhones and other web-enabled mobile devices to quickly connect and research products - our iPhone application enables the natural next step of making a purchase," said Kate Terry, Executive Vice President of Global E-commerce at Tommy Hilfiger Group. "Creating a smooth and entertaining experience for shoppers to explore, search and buy from the brand is an important function of our web-based initiatives, so we are very excited to launch our Tommy Hilfiger for iPhone application. We are also happy to partner with ATG, a well-renowned innovator in e-commerce."
 

Cache Implements PLM and Global Sourcing

Cache implements NGC's PLM and global sourcing software to improve speed to market, collaboration and efficiency throughout the retailer's product development and production process.

The Web-based software will provide Cache with its entire product lifecycle including assortment planning; financial line planning; costing and pre-production; management of purchase orders and Work in Progress and quality control. The software also includes raw materials management, which will allow Cache to closely manage the purchase and usage of all raw material inventories located around the world.

With raw materials management capabilities, Cache will be able to instantly access detailed information on raw materials in all locations worldwide at all times.

e-PLM and e-SPS streamline product design and production through centralized data and a Web-based portal that can simplifies communications and collaboration throughout the global supply chain. The software's automated calendars automatically trigger alerts when events and activities don't happen on time - which helps ensure that key deadlines are met and ultimately shortening the design/production process.

"NGC's software will facilitate real-time collaboration with our vendors about styles and production orders, and will enable Cache to deliver the highest quality goods while also controlling costs and improving turnaround time," said Joanne Marselle, Vice President of Planning and Production for Cache.

"The advanced tools such as factory profiling, vendor scorecards, and exception and milestone reporting offered by NGC's e-PLM will allow Cache to align itself with best suppliers, produce more efficiently, and improve margins," said Ashok Gandhi, Vice President of Finance for Cache.