When the Shoe Fits: Accent Group & Apparel²¹
Updated: 1 day ago
A Partnership Fit for Omnichannel Retail Success
As one of Australia and New Zealand’s largest footwear wholesalers and retailers, Accent Group operates a vast and growing network of brands, including Platypus, Skechers, HYPE DC, The Athlete’s Foot, STYLERUNNER, Vans, Timberland, and Dr. Martens. Their exclusive distribution rights to HOKA have also driven incredible growth in recent years.
Managing such a large and diverse retail network (spanning over 800 stores) requires a sophisticated ERP system that can seamlessly connect wholesale, retail, and digital operations.
That’s where Apparel²¹ comes in.
A Strong Foundation for Fashion & Footwear Retail
For over 10 years, Accent Group has relied on Apparel²¹ as its core ERP solution, supporting everything from head office operations to in-store point-of-sale systems and website integrations.
Rebecca Ren, Business Application Product Manager at Accent Group, has extensive experience with Apparel²¹, having worked with the platform for over a decade, including five years working directly at Apparel²¹ before moving into her current role.
“Apparel²¹ has a really good foundation as a sophisticated platform specifically designed for the fashion and apparel industries,” Rebecca said. Beyond its industry-specific functionality, Apparel²¹’s ability to adapt to market demands has been a game-changer for Accent Group.
“They are quite responsive to industry needs and able to adopt new ways of working, which has had a huge impact on omnichannel retailing.”
Enabling Omnichannel Excellence
One of the biggest challenges for multi-brand retailers like Accent Group is ensuring that all sales channels—bricks and mortar stores, online platforms, and wholesale operations, are all fully integrated. Apparel²¹ makes this seamless, allowing Accent Group to run two instances of the platform to manage their diverse operations effectively.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when retailers faced unprecedented challenges, Apparel²¹ helped Accent Group rapidly pivot to digital-first solutions, such as:
✅ Click & Collect and Click & Dispatch – Accelerating fulfillment and providing customers with more flexible shopping options.
✅ Dark Stores & Delivery Hubs – Transforming underutilised stores into online fulfillment centers to keep operations running.
✅ Real-time Transaction Data & POS Integration – Ensuring that inventory, sales, and fulfillment remained synchronized across channels.
“The system is so well integrated between our head office and store systems, which makes everything so much more efficient and error-free.”
A Collaborative Approach to System Enhancement
Accent Group is committed to continuous improvement, and a key part of their strategy is gathering feedback from store staff to enhance the way Apparel²¹ supports their operations.
“Store team members love the ability to provide feedback and see it actioned. It saves them time and energy every day.”
Some recent process improvements driven by store feedback include:
✅ Improved stock enquiry functionality, allowing staff to quickly check availability across multiple locations.
✅ Better control over docket printing, reducing paper waste and improving sustainability across their 800+ stores.
✅ Streamlined operational processes, making it easier for store teams to focus on customer experience rather than admin work.
With a dedicated team of Apparel²¹ experts internally, including former Apparel²¹ employees, Accent Group has direct access to developers and consultants who can rapidly investigate and implement system improvements.
“The trust, collaboration, and teamwork we have with Apparel²¹ means we can get things done quickly and efficiently.”
One of the Biggest Projects Yet: Qantas Frequent Flyer Points Integration
One of the most ambitious projects Rebecca has led was the integration of Qantas Frequent Flyer points into Accent Group’s sales system through Apparel²¹ POS. This initiative allows customers to earn and redeem Qantas Frequent Flyer points across Accent Group brands, offering an exciting new way to engage loyal customers.
“The project took about 8 months from concept to deployment in stores, and it was one of the smoothest large-scale projects I’ve ever worked on.”
From a technical perspective, the integration required:
✅ Seamless transaction processing to ensure points could be earned and redeemed
✅ Collaboration between the project teams from Accent Group, Qantas Loyalty, and Apparel²¹, ensuring all parties were aligned on objectives and implementation.
✅ A flawless customer experience, making it easy for shoppers to engage with the rewards program both online and in-store.
“Everyone in Accent Group, Qantas, and Apparel²¹ is really proud of this project and the results it delivered.”
Rebecca believes that having a technology partner like Apparel²¹ was crucial in ensuring the success of such a complex initiative.
“It’s rare for a project of this scale to go so smoothly and deliver such great results, but Apparel²¹ helped us make it happen.”
Why Apparel²¹ is the Right Fit for Accent Group
As Accent Group continues to expand its footprint and explore new retail innovations, Apparel²¹ remains a trusted technology partner that evolves alongside their business.
✅ Built for Fashion & Footwear – A specialised ERP tailored to the needs of apparel and footwear retailers and wholesalers.
✅ Scalable & Adaptable – Supporting Accent Group’s complex mix of brands, channels, and store formats.
✅ Seamless Omnichannel Integration – Connecting head office, stores, and eCommerce in real time.
✅ A Collaborative & Agile Partner – Working closely with Accent Group to continuously enhance the system based on user feedback.
With a commitment to operational efficiency, customer experience, and ongoing system improvement, the partnership between Accent Group and Apparel²¹ is stronger than ever.
“The system has grown with us as we’ve grown. With real-time data, seamless integrations, and expert support, Apparel²¹ helps us stay ahead in a competitive market.”
As Accent Group looks toward the future, Apparel²¹ will continue to be a key pillar in their omnichannel retail strategy, ensuring they can adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing industry.
FAQs
How does Apparel²¹ support large retail networks like Accent Group?
Apparel²¹ enables retailers like Accent Group to manage over 800 stores by connecting head office, POS, eCommerce, and wholesale operations into one unified system with real-time data visibility.
How did Apparel²¹ help Accent Group adapt during COVID-19?
Apparel²¹ enabled rapid rollout of Click & Collect, dark stores, and delivery hubs, allowing Accent Group to shift to digital-first operations while keeping inventory and fulfilment fully synchronised.
What makes Apparel²¹ effective for Accent Group’s omnichannel retail strategy?
Apparel²¹ integrates in-store, online, and wholesale systems in real time, enabling Accent Group to maintain accurate inventory, seamless transactions, and consistent customer experiences across all channels.
How does Apparel²¹ improve efficiency for store teams at Accent Group?
With features such as real-time stock enquiries and streamlined workflows, Apparel²¹ reduces manual effort for store teams, allowing them to focus more on customer experience and daily operations.
Can Apparel²¹ handle complex integrations like loyalty programs?
Yes, as demonstrated by Accent Group’s Qantas Frequent Flyer integration, Apparel²¹ supports complex, large-scale integrations while maintaining seamless transaction processing and customer experience.
Why did Accent Group choose Apparel²¹ over generic ERP systems?
Accent Group chose Apparel²¹ because it is purpose-built for fashion and footwear retail, offering the scalability, flexibility, and real-time integration needed to support its multi-brand, omnichannel operations.
