The company - Press Release

 

"CARRE BLANC : A PROFESSIONAL GROUP "

 

 

STYLE :

 

As of 2002, the "Carré Blanc" Group set up organised and long-lasting means in terms of style, through the intermediary of partially-renewed Internal Teams, as well as through External Teams collaborating with the Purchases and Merchandising Departments. The In-House Model-Making Teams, in collaboration with Vincent GREGOIRE (NELLY RODI Agency) and with Freelance stylists, ensure the constant development of creativity on which the brand thrives.

 

 

PURCHASES – SUPPLIES – RENEWED OFFERS:

 

Since 2001, all sources of supplies have been redefined and secured. The Purchases Department has been further enlarged for the purpose of providing technical and human means in order to seize all aspects linked to the organisation of supplies in a rational manner. This new dimension has enabled the “Carré Blanc” Group to coordinate the introduction of goods at Sales Points, thereby launching two new complete lines every two weeks (bedding, towelling, kitchen linen, etc.). Besides its clear commercial advantage, this organisation provides an increased availability rate of the products while smoothing out supplies, hence increasing Carré Blanc’s attractiveness for Suppliers.

 

 

MERCHANDISING :

The Internal Merchandising Department has the task of assisting the opening of each shop and of training all new franchised outlets in the specific merchandising techniques of the brand.  

Furthermore, the Merchandising Department proposes a typical presentation of each new theme over the Intranet, showing its decor and specific advertising, thus contributing to renewing the offer every two weeks by guaranteeing an artistic level and optimised presentation in each of the Group’s Sales Points, wherever they may be in the world.

  

LOGISTICS :

 

In February 2003, "Carré Blanc" took possession of its new 6,700 m2 logistics platform in Roanne. This new logistics tool, combined with the improvement of internal procedures, has enabled the Group, as of Summer 2003, to prepare all orders destined around the world within 24 to 48 hours.

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: :

 

LeIn the context of a comprehensive project initiated in October 2005, the "Carré Blanc" Group undertook the complete renewal of its commercial information system by means of two sub-projects implemented in collaboration with the CEGID Group:

 

. Setting up a new ERP on the Roanne platform:

This first phase, aimed at setting up a new ERP in Roanne, started in October 2005 and ended on 8 February 2006 with the complete installation of the ORLI solution [DTP management for the fashion industry], proposed by CEGID, and was achieved in an entirely transparent manner with regard to the franchised outlets.

 

. Introducing a new management system for the sales points (Back et Front Office) :

This second phase began in April 2006 with the opening of the first three branches over a two-month pilot period. The new Front Office software - PGI S5 by CEGID - was then rapidly introduced in all branches of the "Carré Blanc" Group between May and June 2006.

Since October 2006, we have continued introducing this system within the franchised outlets at a rate of approximately four migrations per week. To date, more than 80 boutiques, i.e. 55% of the total number of shops, benefit from this new information system. The introduction should be complete by the end of 2007 with the old system being abandoned once and for all.

 

DISTRIBUTION :

 

A new shopping concept ("G5"), first tested in Bordeaux at the end of 2005 covering a surface area of 180 m2, was implemented in almost all the branches during the course of Autumn 2006, showing very significant results, not only in terms of performance improvement per m2, but also with regard to the offer’s clarity and attractiveness.

This new “G5” concept, which takes over from the “G4” concept, is not only more efficient, but is also more practical to use (adaptability) and less costly than the “G4”.

Mid-2007 will see the new “G5” concept installed in more than 50 boutiques in France and abroad.

Furthermore, the services made available to the Franchised Outlets through a bulk-buy platform have been enhanced and re-centred on the immediate performance of the Sales Front :

·          A team of Sales’ Tele-Correspondents at the Head Office,

·          A team of Regional Delegates out in the field, exclusively to assist the Franchised Outlets,

·          Strengthening the Visual Merchandising Department in order to relay the brand’s sales policy out in the field for a more dynamic offer,

·          Creating a dedicated export facility.

 

HUMAIN RESOURCES  :

 

Currently, the "Carré Blanc" Group is comprised of the following Teams:

·          Roanne central platform: 48 persons

·          Branch Network: 78 persons

·          Franchised Outlets: approx. 400 persons (on the basis of an average of 2 persons per sales point)

i.e. an approximate total of 526 persons.

 

 

THE NETWORK  :

 

At the end of 2006, the network comprised 227 Sales Points, including 131 Franchised Outlets, 29 Branches, 27 “shops in a shop” (sales points in Department Stores) and 40 foreign Sales Points.  

 

In just over five years, the Network has attained an 80% renewal rate.

  

 

THE RESULTS :

 

In a relatively stable economic situation for the household linen market, 2006 proved an excellent year for “Carré Blanc” with a 6.9% increase in retail business, amounting to €77M in turnover. Business generated on the platform increased on its part by 8.1% in 2006.