Retail ERP: Major Products & Players

Since the birth of retail ERP software, there have been many horror stories of failed implementations and poor ROI. Sports retailer Nike famously made a $400 million investment in order to integrate ERP, supply chain management and CRM into one software package. Failures during implementation led to a $100 million loss of sales, a 20% stock dip and an assortment of lawsuits.

Another major retailer to fall at the ERP hurdle was Hershey's. The confectionery retailer’s failed order-taking and distribution service prevented $100 million in sales during the busy pre-Halloween period. The announcement of the ERP system problem also led to an 8% drop in share value.

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Covering the key issues faced by businesses selecting and implementing ERP.

The role of retail ERP

Retail ERP software is crucial to maximising profits because of its role in stock and supply management. Matching stock to demand is a key factor in any successful retail business, highlighting the importance of an efficient ERP system.

According to DHL, UK grocery retailers have £2.1 billion in annual sales at risk due to gaps in product availability, with around one in five grocery shopping trips involving at least one out-of-stock item

Having seen the impact that selection and implementation of ERP can have on retail success, you may be wondering how you can make that choice for your business. But don’t worry, this guide is here to help with a rundown of the major retail ERP vendors and products.

Recommended download: ERP Vendor directory - Find the right retail ERP vendor for your needs

Vendors and retail ERP systems

Many major vendors of ERP software offer retail ERP solutions as part of a broad range of target industries:

Microsoft has numerous ERP offerings, but Dynamics 365 Business Central is best suited for small to mid-sized retailers (10 to 200 employees), offering solutions typical of retail ERP systems including multi-store management, store operations, merchandising and financials.

Another major vendor of retail ERP software is Oracle NetSuite. NetSuite is popular among retailers due to its ability to integrate brick-and-mortar stores with eCommerce sites like Amazon, eBay, and a business's own website. Other major vendors offering retail ERP systems include Acumatica, DigitBridge and BrightPearl.

Alongside the popular, all-encompassing retail ERP products, many ERP vendors offer tailored solutions to the retail industry or specific sub-industries within retail.

For apparel retailers, Infor and CGS provide ERP in the form of Infor CloudSuite Fashion and BlueCherry software, respectively.