Outdoor sports equipment and footwear manufacturer Tecnica Group North America is leveraging the technology of wholesale e-commerce and retail assortment platform NuOrder to simplify the merchandising and buying experiences for its retailers, while aiming to build a more collaborative environment for all stakeholders.
Tecnica Group’s ski equipment brands Blizzard and Nordica, as well as ski boots and footwear brand Tecnica, will use the platform to streamline the product research, buying and order management process for its outdoor specialty retailers.
With the partnership, the Tecnica Group North America brands will be able to manage their entire sales process through the NuOrder platform, which includes the presentation of personalized digital line sheets, catalogs and virtual showrooms for a more dynamic and rich shopping experience, and set up appointments and engage with buyers to elevate the “story” behind each project. The brands can provide photos of products and styles and videos of marketing campaigns.
Retailers will be able to shop products, place orders and browse live inventory for a more streamlined buying experience. In a way, this is designed to give both brands and retailers a taste of the showroom experience that has been missing from physical trade shows and other in-person meetings since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Investing and implementing NuOrder is another way for us to show our specialty retail partners how important they are to us and the industry as a whole,” said Chris Licata, president and CEO of Tecnica Group North America in a statement. “The new platform will provide a consistent level of access to our brands through every stage of the buying process, building even greater trust and confidence in our relationship.”
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NuOrder says its platform already has processed more than $35 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) and already has connected more than 2,000 brands and 500,000 retailers, many of which are mom-and-pop shops.
U.S. and Canadian specialty ski retailers that partner with the Tecnica Group brands will begin using the NuOrder system starting in January for the 2021/22 winter alpine buying season.
NuOrder has been busy lately, particularly as it powers the digital trade shows held by Informa Markets Fashion throughout the fall. The trade shows combine the Magic, Project, Coterie, Micam Americas and Children’s Club events on the NuOrder platform, taking place from Sept. 1 to Nov. 1.
This digital trade event will serve as a marketing vehicle for exhibitors across the individual shows, enabling them to create a virtual showroom and take orders from retailers. Participating brands also can continue their services with NuOrder after the digital trade event concludes on Nov. 1. Throughout the events, the NuOrder platform will serve as a bridge to connect buyers and brands, just as it does for the retailers using the platform.
The companies also partnered to launch the Informa Markets Fashion for Change (IMFC) incubator program, an initiative that supports emerging designers within the Black fashion community and provides select brands with opportunities for representation and mentorship.
While 10 brands will be chosen for the incubator program, IMFC committee members have already selected nine, including footwear brands Enzi and Kahume; children’s hair accessories and apparel brands Confidence By Gabby Goodwin and Pridd New York; women’s ready-to-wear apparel brand Re Ona; custom made men’s apparel brand Hamid Holloman; L.A.-inspired clothing brand Leimert Park Threads; swimwear company Selfish Swimwear; and home and body provisions brand London Grant.
NuOrder also recently partnered with Grassroots Outdoor Alliance to develop an online platform for its network of 83 independent outdoor retailers.
“Independent outdoor retailers need tools like NuOrder to help them work smarter and harder,” said Rich Hill, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance’s president. “The potential of having a universal order-writing tool helps them make better decisions, helps us be better partners with our vendors, and reduces excess and non-functional inventory no one wants.”
The NuOrder buying platform is complimentary for the Alliance’s vendors and retailers this fall.