Page 32 - #189 March 2024

TECHNOLOGY PROFILE - ART SOFTWARE GROUP

Reinventing Retail Assets

In this Technology Profile, RLI speaks with Gareth Jordan, Director at ART Software
Group, an experienced software house and Outlet Evolution, clients of ART’s industry-
leading Retail Advantage platform made for shopping malls, outlets and retail portfolios
to discuss how innovation has proved to be an essential partner for growth.

utlet Evolution Services is a specialised company in the Outlet an inner city space with less than ten shops, where it is about nurturing
OSector, managing and leasing over five different outlet centres what is there through a very hands on approach combined with real-time
in the Central European Region. By relying on a network of preferred feedback and visibility on what is or isn’t working. Or, the objective might
partners, be it advertising agencies or innovative service products like be to increase the size of the offering, so the analytics need to show you if
Retail Advantage, Managing Partner Sebastian Sommer explains that they the brand mix is working and will remain compelling as you scale.
keep the costs of centre management as low as possible in order not to “Retail Advantage is a tool to garner growth on many levels, whether
burden tenants excessively but also not to reduce returns for investors. the objective is to grow in quality, in size and breadth, or maintain a
“We value partnerships driven by mutual goals, this applies both to relevant offering. We must all be proactive in fast-changing retail places, so
investors and our brand partners alike. All growth is targeted to be data and analytics are central to that. The product grows with the scheme,
sustainable, reflecting profit targets from all stakeholders. While this may which makes it exciting as our platforms are flexible and scalable.”
sound academic, it’s actually very specific. From mutual business plans
to ready to apply analytics and a very flexible commercial marketing
approach, we have gradually evolved our management style over the “Reliability and commitment are key to our business.
last years,” says Sebastian. We build and select our partners based on their
Gareth Jordan, Director at ART Software Group, has a firsthand view attitude to our business and the cutting edge it can
of how the right technology partners can help transform retail spaces bring to us. This is exactly how we teamed up with
and create true destinations. Retail Advantage meets operators’ needs Retail Advantage.”
with the data environment and insights to achieve their strategy. Many
sites, locations and schemes vary in size, explains Gareth - it might be Sebastian Sommer, Managing Partner, Outlet Evolution Services