Department store chain taps QRS for its catalog solution, messaging services
Richmond, CA October 24, 2003 Belk, the nation's largest privately owned department store chain, announced this week that it has extended its contract with collaborative commerce solution provider QRS Corp. for another three years, making QRS Exchange its preferred solution for networking services and QRS Catalogue the company's data synchronization solution.
Belk said it uses QRS Exchange to exchange business documents with more than 600 trading partners, and, as a result, has significantly reduced monthly expenses with electronic vs. manual data interchange. The department store chain said it would build on those accomplishments, expanding electronic communication to more of its trading partners, which include general merchandise and apparel, hardlines, and health and beauty aid suppliers.
Belk is using QRS Catalogue to centralize product data and automate internal business processes. The company said QRS Catalogue enables its Merchandising Support Group to utilize UPC codes and related product information for improved order accuracy and flow of timely product information into the merchandising system. As a result, Belk said it has reduced overall operating expenses and improved staff productivity by mandating the use of QRS Catalogue within its entire trading community.
"We were looking for a committed partner that understands the intricacies of our supplier relationships and the urgency of getting products to our customers, and can help us streamline internal process efficiencies and improve our bottom line," explained Bill Keith, vice president of Merchandising Support at Belk.
