Codsall and Wergs Garden Centre make the switch to RetailVista ERP and EPoS
RetailVista has revolutionised our operations – Miles Hommers, Owner, Codsall and Wergs
Found just outside of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, Codsall and Wergs Garden Centre is an inspiring and beautiful place to visit and spend some time.
Offering all your expected gardening supplies and plants, as well as furniture, BBQ’s, tools and mowers; Codsall and Wergs also hosts the stunning restaurant, “The Greenhouse Kitchen”.
Manager and owner Miles Hommers made the decision last year to replace the existing ERP and EPoS software in order to future proof the business for years to come with our RetailVista solution.
Operating several tills in both the retail area and restaurant, Codsall and Wergs wanted to bring all selling channels of the business together using RetailVista as the single point of truth for the data and stock figures, retail and online sales, loyalty (both in store and online), giftcards (digital and physical), statistics, marketing, and more.
With RetailVista installed and working since March 2023, we asked Miles to tell us a little about himself and the move to RetailVista. Where applicable you can click on links in the interview to be taken to pages with more information on the items Miles mentions.
NedFox: Can you tell us a little about you and the business Miles?
Miles Hommers: I’m 4th generation into our family business in the horticultural sector. Started by my great grandfather on Wolverhampton market after moving here from the Netherlands after world war 2, primarily selling bulbs and cut flowers. The business moved into wholesale supply over the years and into retail in the late 70s until 2000 in the garden centre, Gardenland. After this we continued the wholesale side until 2014 where we bought Codsall and Wergs Garden Centre and since 2020 it has been under my charge. Since then we have progressed as a centre and aim to keep growing here and eventually into multiple sites.
N: What prompted the switch of ERP and EPoS to RetailVista?
M: The main prompt for our switch was mine and my fathers relationship with (NedFox UK and Ireland sales executive) Dave Everett , we had dealt with Dave on a different system that worked for us at the time. Since he joined NedFox he stayed in touch with us and after a couple of years we were at a size that warranted a move to yourselves. The main things we wanted was the full webshop integration, RFM marketing which we will be starting with in the new year and the loyalty card application.
N: Are there certain features of RetailVista you think will really benefit the business?
M: At Codsall and Wergs Garden Centre, RetailVista has revolutionised our operations. With its real-time inventory management, we’ve eliminated stockouts and optimized our supply chain. The detailed sales analytics have empowered us to make informed decisions, boosting our profitability. Our customers love our loyalty card program, which RetailVista seamlessly manages, enhancing customer engagement and retention. Plus, the integration with our webshop ensures a seamless shopping experience across all channels. RetailVista has truly simplified our operations, improved our customer experience, and played a crucial role in our business growth.
N: What were the ‘must haves’ in choosing a new ERP and EPoS solution for the business?
M: Firstly, we needed real-time inventory management to avoid stock shortages. Next, detailed sales analytics were important for decision-making. We prioritised simplicity for easy staff adoption. Seamless integration across online and offline channels was crucial for a smooth customer experience. Flexibility in payment methods and scalability for future growth were also essential. Lastly, reliability and security were non-negotiable, along with easy management of customer data and loyalty programs.
N: Thank you Miles, we really enjoy working with you and the team at Codsall and Wergs. Would you be happy to recommend us to other garden centres?
M: Yes I would recommend.