Australian home furnishings and décor retailer Adairs has partnered with Manhattan Associates to move its supply chain operations in-house.
With the deployment of Manhattan SCALE as the selected warehouse management system, Adairs was able to shift from a third-party logistics (3PL) model to assuming full control of its supply chain.
“Bringing our supply chain in-house was a major decision, driven by our desire for greater operational control and the ability to better serve our customers,” said Justin Dowling, General Manager of Supply Chain at Adairs.
“We wanted an off-the-shelf, ready-to-go solution that could be implemented with minimal customisation, and Manhattan SCALE has provided the successful technology backbone for this transition, allowing us to streamline operations, improve inventory management, and scale effectively for peak demand.”
Going live in July 2024, Manhattan SCALE was fully implemented in 12 months.
Since then, Adairs has seen notable operational improvements such as an increase of one million units delivered to stores year-over-year, a 24 per cent boost in e-commerce order fulfilment, and a 17 per cent increase in inbound volume processed.
Adairs said it has achieved $5 million in annual savings following the shift. With the system’s enhanced capabilities, the company consolidated its distribution operations and refined its logistics network.
All orders across online, retail stores, and corporate customers are fulfilled from a centralised distribution centre, enhancing stock availability and streamlining supply chain operations.
“This was not just a technology project, it was a supply chain transformation. From day one, our teams worked in close partnership with Manhattan to develop a solution that would not only meet our immediate needs but also future proof our operations,” said Dowling.
Through a collaborative partnership, the system was created with a focus on real-world warehouse operations and alignment with Adairs’ goals.
Operational input helped reduce go-live disruptions and enabled rapid adoption by warehouse staff, while the system’s intuitive interface improved training and allowed for easier labour scaling during high-demand times.
“Retailers need a supply chain that can support rapid changes in customer expectations while driving operational efficiencies,” said Raghav Sibal, Managing Director ANZ at Manhattan Associates.
“By implementing Manhattan SCALE, Adairs has taken a proactive approach to modernising its operations and creating a more agile, resilient supply chain. We’re proud to have played a role in Adairs’ transformation and look forward to supporting its continued growth.”