Urban Outfitters supports 20% growth with WCS and Pack to Light

Client:  Urban Outfitters is a leading lifestyle specialty retail company operating under the Anthropologie, Free People, Leifsdottir, Terrain and Urban Outfitters brands.

Challenge:  Urban Outfitters was looking for a complete turnkey solution to accommodate a rapid growth rate of over 20%, but their then current store fulfillment productivity of 400 units per hour was a serious point of concern.

Solution:  After evaluating several options, Urban Outfitters selected a solution from AL Systems comprised of a Warehouse Control System with Order Management, Sortation Control, Pack to Light, Shipping and Manifesting, Cross Docking, and Order Auditing for their Gap, PA distribution center.  Cross Docking was a key requirement as they planned to move 40-50% of incoming merchandise directly to shipping with minimal handling so as to eliminate the need for storage and put away.

Results:  A month after implementation, Urban Outfitters increased productivity to over 1,200 units per hour at over 99.75% accuracy. The Productivity Management and Reporting tools gives them insight into individual worker productivity and accuracy, enabling them to set benchmarks and exercise corrective measures and/or incentives if necessary.  Furthermore, the Cross Docking solution enabled them to lower real estate, labor, transportation, and inventory costs significantly.  As a result of this success, Urban Outfitters engaged AL Systems to provide a similar solution for their Reno, NV distribution center.