With the recent economic forecast that consumer spending is expected to drop nearly 20% this holiday season in Australia, it’s more important than ever for retailers to sharpen their competitive edge. Understanding your data, when consumer spending remains uncertain isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential for survival.
Yet, many retailers grapple with fragmented data systems and siloed decision-making, resulting in missed opportunities and inefficiencies. To stay competitive, retailers must unify data—from sales and inventory to customer sentiment—into a single, real-time view that drives smarter, faster decisions.
The challenges of fragmented data
Retailers typically juggle multiple systems, using one for supply chain logistics and a different platform for customer relationship management and marketing automation. These disconnected systems can create data silos, making it hard to get a full picture of business performance. When data is siloed across different systems, it becomes harder to spot trends or identify changes in customer behaviour. Retailers need more than raw data; they need a way to bring all this information together smoothly. This is where a data fabric solution comes into play.
What is a Data Fabric?
A data fabric is an integrated, flexible data management framework that allows organisations to connect and manage data across various sources and environments, whether they are on-premises, in the cloud, or across different systems. It provides a unified, real-time view of data, enabling businesses to access, process, and analyse data seamlessly, regardless of where it resides.
From data overload to useful insights.
Two of Qlik’s customers faced challenges in their businesses, that were resolved with a data fabric solution.
Urban Outfitters has over 650 stores across the USA, Europe, and the UK, all using different systems and operating in various time zones. This meant their data was often delayed, inconsistent, or just hard to understand. As a result, it was tough to identify sales trends in real time, adjust inventory to meet demand, or quickly respond to what was happening on the ground.
To tackle this, Urban Outfitters turned to a data fabric solution, which brought together data from their different systems into one easily accessible platform. This change meant they could generate reports that used to take hours… in just minutes, providing insights that helped them make faster and smarter decisions. For example, they could quickly see which products were popular in specific stores and adjust their stock and marketing efforts on the fly, turning scattered information into a real edge over the competition.
Outdoor footwear brand, LOWA Switzerland also needed a better handle on their data to stay ahead of customer demand. They wanted to know when to stock up on summer sandals versus winter boots, depending on changing seasons and local weather. But without a consolidated view of sales, logistics, and inventory data, they couldn’t make these decisions quickly or accurately, leading to potential overstock or stockouts.
LOWA solved this by using a data fabric solution that pulled together up-to-the-minute information from across the business. This centralized approach meant everyone—from the sales floor to supply chain managers—was on the same page with a clear, real-time picture of what was happening. This helped them keep the right products in stock at the right times, improve production planning, and better meet customer needs, all while keeping their operations running smoothly.
Seizing opportunities in the Golden Quarter and beyond
As we approach the holiday season—a critical time for the retail industry— having access to real-time data becomes even more important. Shoppers today expect a frictionless experience, whether they are buying online, in-store, or through click-and-collect. Retailers must be able to adjust inventory on the fly, offer personalised deals, and ensure a smooth checkout process. A fragmented data system simply can’t keep up with these demands.
This is where a robust data fabric solution proves its value. The benefits are clear: better inventory management, improved customer experience, more effective marketing and ultimately, increased sales.
Top performing retailers excel at data integration
Today’s most successful retailers are those who use their data to stay flexible, competitive, and in tune with changing customer behaviours. Integrating a data fabric solution lays the groundwork for this adaptability, turning every bit of information into a valuable resource. The question isn’t whether to adopt such a solution—it’s how quickly you can start weaving your own data fabric together to stay ahead in the competitive world of retail.
Mark Fazackerley is country manager for Qlik Australia & New Zealand.