The FINANCIAL — Accenture and Demandware, Inc., have collaborated on a new multichannel commerce solution to help Lacoste rapidly establish its online presence in Greater China. The engagement with the global fashion brand leverages Accenture’s new solution, which uses Demandware as the core digital commerce platform, according to Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company.
Under the terms of the agreement, Accenture has designed and built Lacoste’s online store and will continue to manage the operations of its online business in China. This includes technology support, back office services, integration with microsites, customer services, logistics payment services and social media networks. Lacoste will retain responsibility for all brand related activities, such as digital marketing, eMerchandising, branding and media, according to Accenture.
Accenture’s Multichannel Commerce Solution for China enables retailers and consumer products companies to rapidly launch and maintain an effective online presence in Greater China. Through this end-to-end solution, Accenture can create a customized online shop for companies and provide them with the business functions required to manage and run an online retailing platform. This allows the organization to focus on building and expanding its brand. Accenture will use Accenture Interactive to help deliver the services to Lacoste, according to Accenture.
Accenture and Demandware are also releasing a version of the solution for ASEAN and European Markets.
“China presents brands with an enormous opportunity but it is a unique environment that requires a unique approach,” said Eric Mestre, managing director in Accenture’s Consumer Goods & Services practice. “Brands must overcome legal and cultural challenges that many will not have encountered in other markets. The successful navigation of Chinese social and regulatory hurdles, while still providing a quality experience to Chinese consumers online, requires brands to adopt a tailor-made approach as Lacoste is doing with Accenture and Demandware,” he added.
“With Demandware as the digital commerce platform for our solution with Lacoste, we are able to provide Lacoste and other leading retailers with complete control over the brand experience, as well as the speed, innovation and scalability of its Software as a Service (SaaS) model,” continued Mestre.
“We are excited to be making the iconic Lacoste brand available online to Chinese consumers,” said Sébastien Fayet, head of Digital at Lacoste. “Accenture’s solution offers Lacoste the ability to quickly reach millions of Chinese consumers, and provide them with a quality and secure online experience,” he added.
“Our newly forged relationship with Accenture further validates that our cloud platform is the best alternative for large, rapidly growing retailers looking to expand their digital commerce businesses globally. By leveraging the power of Demandware Commerce, Accenture’s clients can rapidly and confidently execute their omni-channel digital commerce strategies around the world. We very much look forward to working with Accenture,” said Tom Ebling, CEO of Demandware.
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