FASHION retailer DV8, which has more than 40 stores across Ireland, has signed a deal to move its online operation (www.DV8Fashion.com) to Export Technologies' bespoke e-commerce platform called IRP.
And the deal will see DV8 - whose portfolio includes a flagship outlet in Belfast city centre - invest £1.5 million over the next two years on warehousing and technology as well as hiring several new staff.
Since moving to the IRP platform, DV8 is already reaping the benefits by seeing a 50 per cent uplift in online sales compared to the same period last year (its top selling regions include Australia and the US).
DV8 offers a portfolio of the world's best fashion retail brands for customers aged 18-40 years, and is successful with 'Bedroom Brands' inspired by reality TV stars and also wardrobe staples from Superdry, Calvin Klein and Vans.
Neville McDowell from DV8 said: "We made the move to IRP to create a more streamlined link between our bricks and mortar stores and online offering. We also have a massive international opportunity and the IRP platform is helping us reach global markets.
"In addition, the IRP analytics offers an intelligent approach to selling that uses artificial intelligence to monitor 'lost' sales, thus giving us the chance to reduce this gap so we can significantly increase our sales."
James Cave from Export Technologies, which is based at Catalyst Inc in Belfast, said, "DV8 is an excellent example of a multichannel retailer that has the ability to target an international audience.
"Although fashion is a notoriously competitive sector, we have the in-house knowledge to support the DV8 team, and coupled with the world-class capabilities of the IRP platform, we know we can make the partnership work long-term.”
