Accenture helps Bharti Retail with SAP implementation
Bharti Retail, a large retailer in India, has hired Accenture to support it with the implementation of SAP. With the new system in place, the Indian firm expects to be able to better respond to shifting retail trends and at the same time improve its supply chain efficiency. Financial details have not been disclosed.
With 212 stores and compact hypermarket formats across 11 Indian states, Bharti Retail is one the larger players in the Indian retail market. The retailer is part of Bharti Enterprises, founded in 1976 by Sunil Bharti Mittal, a conglomerate that operates in 20 countries across Asia and Africa.
Following the large changes in the retail landscape – including factors as intensified competition, the rise of eCommerce, and Big Data – the management of Bharti Retail recently decided to acquire and implement an ERP system. To support the roll-out, the retailer has brought in the expertise of Accenture, one of the largest consulting firms of the globe. “The retail industry today is facing challenges of poor consumer sentiments, supply chain inefficiencies and rising costs. Accenture will help us strengthen efficiency of our business operations and support our efforts to scale up our business," says Raj Jain, Bharti Retail CEO.
Accenture will support the firm with rolling out SAP ERP application and data management software, along with solutions for merchandising, forecasting, promotion management and fulfilment. Following the implementation, Bharti Retail will, if all goes to plan, be able to more efficiently plan, monitor and track flow of merchandise and information throughout its supply chain. In addition, Accenture will also implement advanced analytics, planning and financial solutions from SAP to help improve speed of reporting across the organisation.
"Using advanced analytics and implementing a central planning platform will provide Bharti Retail the insights, flexibility and transparency it needs in its IT operations and supply chain, thereby helping the company to streamline its operations expenditure and improve its profitability," comments Avinash Vashistha, Country Managing Director of Accenture in India.
