A4 is launching the “A4 Express” rapid fulfillment program targeted at the specialty sporting goods retailer. A4 is answering the retailers need to keep inventory levels low while always being in stock on core items. The new “A4 Express Catalog” will be mailed to customers in January and the service will be inaugurated on February 1, 2008. A4 has selected key items from their collection to offer as part of their new “A4 Express” service.
“The concept is simple, we will ship our customers order in 24 hours and prepay two day expedited freight service to their door”, says Mark Mertens, CEO of A4. “Our objective is to push the limit on service and continue to raise the bar in every area of sporting goods apparel .
Previously, retailers had to plan basic buys months in advance of the season. This tied up large amounts of working capital and open to buy, and result in out of stock or overstocked conditions during the season. Distributors offered an expensive and unsatisfactory solution with in season shipping .
“We want our customers to be more profitable” says Mertens. “The profitability, challenge has always had its roots in inventory turn. A4 is a vertical manufacturer that offers direct from the factory pricing while the delivering the service levels of higher price distributors. Price, service and quality merge at the same point to redefine how the specialty retailer can plan the purchase of this key category”.
