Enhancing business performance through retail planning software: the Benetton Group case study

Abstract

The dissertation explores the influence of retail planning software on business performance, with a particular focus on Benetton Group and its decision to adopt the solutions provided by Centric Planning. The research begins with an initial analysis of the retailing industry, examining its fundamental characteristics, operations, and diverse business models. It is then followed by a thorough analysis of merchandise planning processes in the retail sector, highlighting the key advantages of planning and its considerable role within the industry. The second chapter aims to demonstrate the importance of investing in retail planning software, emphasising the benefits associated with its implementation in the company and comparing the key features of several available solutions in the market. Finally, the thesis shifts its focus to the Benetton Group case study, investigating the company's decision to incorporate three modules of Centric Planning. The analysis explores the impact of the software in the company, particularly in renewing some cumbersome and outdated planning processes. It concludes with a final assessment of the outcomes achieved during the initial period of software implementation.