Posts Tagged ‘Awards’

Quantum Retail Ranks 9 in the Top 50 Women-Led Companies in the Nation

“It is refreshing to see so many companies with women leaders doing so well in this economy,” commented Quantum Retail CEO Vicki Raport. “The whole team at Quantum is proud of the hard work we have put in to be able to be recognized amongst such a fantastic and deserving group.”

American Express OPEN and the Women Presidents’ Organization Name Top 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies

See Quantum Retail in the Top 10 Women-Led Companies in the Wall Street Journal

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — American Express OPEN, the small business division of American Express, in partnership with Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), today released the third ranking of the 50 fastest growing women-led companies in North America. The Top 50 generated a combined $2.3 billion in gross revenues (2009) and averaged 128 employees (2009).

“The Top 50 list exemplifies the vital role women business owners have on boosting the economy and enhancing job growth overall,” says Marsha Firestone, Ph. D., president and founder of the WPO. “We are pleased to partner with American Express OPEN to honor these powerful women and recognize their triumphs.”

“There are 10 million women-owned businesses in the US that employee over 13 million people and generate nearly $2 trillion in annual sales,” says Nancy Hood, Vice President at American Express OPEN. “We at OPEN are honored to support this group of women business leaders that thrived in a challenging economic climate.”

All eligible companies were ranked according to a sales growth formula that combines percentage and absolute growth. From this list, the 50 Fastest are selected. To be qualified for the ranking, businesses are required to be privately held, woman-owned/led companies in the U.S. or Canada and have reached revenue of at least $500,000 by the first week of 2005 and $2 million in 2009.

In order to help the Top 50 continue to seize even more business opportunities, each of the honored business owners will be offered a Business Platinum Card1 from American Express OPEN. The card will include 100,000 Membership Rewards® points, which may be used on capital investments including: the funding of employee recognition programs, business travel or the purchase of office equipment and supplies.

46 of the Top 50 women were polled to examine what makes them tick and uncover how they were able to grow their businesses at breakneck speed and in such a difficult economic environment. The survey touched on key themes including: overcoming business growth challenges, reexamining business strategies despite the current economic condition and prioritizing the important characteristics for being a successful woman leader.

The key findings include:

Reasons for success

  • A commitment to high growth – 71% agreed or strongly agreed that their goal from the very beginning of their leadership of the company was to build a large company
  • Inspiring leaders – 64% believe their “ability to motivate employees” is the most important characteristic for being a successful woman entrepreneur
  • Surrounding yourself with a skilled team – 78% say “Hiring the right people” was the most important action that contributed to their company’s growth
  • Adapting to a changing environment – The strategy most frequently chosen (64%) to meet the challenge of the current economy is to “enter new markets”. Sixty-one percent admitted current economic conditions caused them to change their business strategies
  • Lower sales – 56% say their biggest challenge in our current economy is “existing customers reducing purchases.”

Positive Outlook

  • Doubling their workforce – Nearly all (96%) plan on adding employees this year.
  • Boosting the economy and their communities – Their ability to create much needed jobs is the greatest benefit of being a successful woman entrepreneur

All 50 companies were honored at a special event hosted by American Express OPEN at the WPO annual conference in Ft. Lauderdale on April 23, 2010.

Read at Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/23/1594485_p3/trailblazing-women-business-owners.html#ixzz0lxQdwFf2


About the Women Presidents’ Organization and American Express OPEN

The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) is the premier peer advisory organization which internationally connects top women entrepreneurs at the multimillion-dollar level ($2 million in gross annual sales or $1 million for service-based business) for greater professional success. In monthly meetings across four continents, chapters composed of 20 accomplished women presidents from diverse industries and backgrounds invest time and energy in themselves and their businesses to drive their corporations to the next level. For more information, call 212-688-4114 or visit http://www.womenpresidentsorg.com. For more information on American Express OPEN, visit www.OPEN.com.

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Quantum Retail’s Vicki Raport selected as Entrepreneurial Winning Woman 2009

Vicki Raport is recognized as 1 of 9 women nationally by Ernst and Young for their Entrepreneurial Winning Women Program for 2009

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, October 26, 2009 – Quantum Retail Technology, a leading innovator of inventory management software systems for the retail industry, today announced that co-founder Vicki Raport was one of nine female entrepreneurs selected to participate in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning WomenTM program designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential businesses founded by women entrepreneurs. The winners were selected from a competitive list of women entrepreneurs residing across the US by a diverse group of independent judges.

As a winner of the program, Raport will receive complementary participation in the Ernst and Young Strategic Growth Forum, which takes place November 11-15, 2009 in Palm Springs, CA. The Strategic Growth Forum, dubbed by Forbes.com as one of the “Seven Get-Ahead Executive Retreats,” is a prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. More than 1,300 leaders of the nation’s most successful companies, along with investors and advisors, gather with exemplary entrepreneurs to share growth strategies and discuss current economic challenges.

In addition to participation in the Strategic Growth Forum, the Entrepreneurial Winning Women will take part in a customized program designed to build and foster critical relationships, enhance leadership skills and expand business know-how.

“I feel very privileged to have been recognized alongside such an impressive group of female business leaders,” commented Raport. “Everyone at Quantum has worked extremely hard these past few years to make not only us, but the retailers we work with as successful as possible, and this award is a fantastic acknowledgement of that effort.

Quantum Retail creates and delivers advanced software solutions to solve the demands of modern retailing. The company’s proprietary inventory management solutions quickly optimize forecasting and advanced order planning, replenishment and allocation, and assortment and product range planning activities. With its customers typically achieving significant and measurable return on investment within six months of implementation, Quantum enables large retailers to improve the performance of every product at every store to drive sales and profits, increase service levels and release working capital. In 2009, Inc. magazine ranked Quantum Retail the eleventh fastest-growing, privately-owned software company– with a three-year growth rate of 963.4%.

“Experienced role models and access to business-building networks are critical for women entrepreneurs looking to accelerate their company’s growth and success,” said Maria Pinelli, Americas Director, Strategic Growth Markets, Ernst & Young LLP. “Through the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning WomenTM program, we aim to give outstanding female entrepreneurs the tools and networks they need to grow their businesses.”

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning WomenTM program is conducted in collaboration with several women’s entrepreneurship organizations including the Women’s Presidents Organization, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Babson College and its Center for Women’s Leadership, Wharton School of The University of Pennslyvania and the Committee of 200.

For more information on the competition, visit: Ernst and Young.


About Quantum Retail Technology, Inc.

Quantum Retail has created a revolutionary merchandise optimization system, called Q, that aligns the art and science of modern retailing to the challenges of the 21st Century. Every Quantum Retail customer has achieved 100% return on investment in less than 6 months.


Inc. Magazine ranks Quantum Retail 11th fastest growing private company in the nation

Quantum Retail Technology Ranked 11th Fastest Growing Private Software Company in America in Inc. Magazine’s Annual Inc. 500 Quantum reported a growth rate of 963.4% in three years.

MINNEAPOLIS, August 19, 2009 - Inc. Magazine ranked Quantum Retail Technology the eleventh fastest growing privately owned software company with a three-year growth rate of 963.4% in its annual ranking of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in America. Quantum Retail was the 212th fastest growing private company overall, and the fourth fastest in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region.

Quantum Retail attributes its success to a revolutionary new approach to retail merchandising challenges. The company has created a dynamic solution, called Q, that optimizes and automates retail processes related to forecasting and advanced order planning, replenishment and allocation, and assortment and range planning. Through a deep understanding of item behavior and merchandise roles, goals, and strategies, Q is driving unprecedented value for retailers of all types.

“Everyone at Quantum Retail has worked tirelessly the last few years to develop a one-of-a-kind, best of breed solution for understanding and managing the complex retail environment,” said Vicki Raport, Co Founder of Quantum Retail. “The growth we have experienced is also due in large part to the confidence our amazing customers have placed in us.”

Quantum Retail’s Q software enables retailers to make strategic decisions for every product at every store, quickly delivering exceptional return on investment for their customers.

About Quantum Retail Technology, Inc.

Q answers the new questions facing retailers today with solutions that enable them to profitably buy, move, and sell merchandise, solving the most complex and costly problems – quickly and permanently.

Quantum Retail wins ‘Supply Chain Solution of the Year’ at the Retail Systems Awards, 2008

Quantum Retail wins ‘Supply Chain Solution of the Year’ at the Retail Systems Awards, 2008  Quantum Retail is awarded the 2008 Retail Systems Supply Chain Solution of the Year Award for its work with leading EMEA fashion retailer, New Look.

LONDON, UK – November 17 2008. Since 2007, Quantum’s Q solution has been used by New Look to manage its inventory replenishment and allocation processes across its 600 locations. Having increased its retail space by 20% and diversified into online and franchise channels, New Look were seeking a superior replenishment solution to improve management of store/SKU demand and supply.

As well as Q’s ability to help New Look manage and maintain its stock levels and provide visibility across the entire organization, the judges were impressed with Q’s return on investment: going live in under seven months and paying for itself five months later.

Speaking after the award was announced at London’s Grosvenor House, Quantum CEO Tarik Taman said, “In Q we’ve created a next generation inventory fulfillment module that determines inventory need anywhere in the supply network. We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved but most importantly of what our clients have achieved.”

After less than 6 months of operation, New Look was able to realize an increase in full price sales across the estate by 2%, with less stock. At the same time by reducing markdowns, gross margin increased by 4%.

New Look’s Executive Chairman Phil Wrigley commented “Q has enabled New Look to move our supply chain from being buy driven to customer driven, whilst delivering impressive financial results. It is truly first class.”

About Quantum Retail Technology, Inc.

Quantum Retail answers the new questions facing retailers with a merchandise optimization suite designed for the increasing pace and complexity of the consumer revolution and today’s competitive landscape. Quantum Retail’s solutions solve the most difficult and costly problems retailers face – quickly and permanently. Our Q solution is the answer for: Forecasting and Order Planning – Replenishment and Allocation – Assortment and Range Planning.

About New Look

  • New Look has 604 stores in the UK and Eire, and 265 stores in France & Belgium trading under the name Mim. In addition, New Look has 19 New Look branded stores in France and Belgium, and has recently opened 16 franchise stores in Dubai, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
  • New Look has a volume share of 5.6% in the Women’s Outer/Sportswear age 16 market, and is the 3rd largest retailer by volume in this market.
  • New Look also has a growing market share in Mens & Kidswear.
  • New Look is now the number 1 retailer of women’s shoes in the UK by volume, with a market share of 7.4%. (Source – TNS).
  • 38% of the British female population has purchased an item of Womenswear** from New Look in the past year (52 w/e 30th March 2008). This amounts to just under 9.2 million individuals. The average age of shoppers in New Look is 31.
  • Further information can be found on http://www.newlook.co.uk and Product and Management photos are available upon request.

**includes Women’s Outer/Sports, Nightwear, Underwear, Hosiery, Footwear & Accessories

Quantum Retail wins Supply Chain Excellence at the 2008 European Retail Solutions Awards

Quantum’s Q is recognised for its achievements with fast-fashion retailer New Look

LONDON, UK – 3 July 2008, Quantum Retail has come out top in the ‘Supply Chain Excellence’ category at the European Retail Solutions Show for its work with leading multi-national fashion retailer, New Look.

Quantum’s Q solution has been used by New Look since October 2007 to manage its inventory replenishment and allocation processes across its 600 locations. The excellent results yielded by Q have not gone unnoticed by the retail technology industry, a fact reflected at the European Retail Solutions Awards ceremony.

New Look’s Group IT & E-Commerce Director, Adrian Thompson, said: “As a fast fashion business with our customers at the core of everything we do, we recognised that Quantum Retail’s demand forecast model offered us an opportunity to gain significant competitive advantage,” Thompson was also impressed with Q’s return on investment: “Q went live within 7 months, and had paid for itself just 5 months later.”

Over the last 12 months, New Look has increased its retail space by 20% and diversified into new online and franchised channels. In order to support its expansion and diversification, New Look required a superior replenishment solution to improve management of store/SKU demand and supply. Following an extensive review of the solutions available on the market, Quantum’s Q solution was selected.

Spencer Maynard, Head of Stock Optimisation at New Look added: “Q has enabled us to proactively manage products by exception, whilst the Q system takes care of the day-to-day decisions. We can now focus our attentions on expanding the business and exploring new routes to market.”

The prestigious European Retail Solutions Awards is an annual event focused on recognising retailers and suppliers for excellence and innovation in retail technology. The awards ceremony was held at Old Billingsgate Market in London, following the second day of the Retail Solutions Show.

Chris Allan, Co-Founder of Quantum Retail was delighted with Quantum’s achievement: “We are proud to be acknowledged as the leading retail supply chain technology solution at the European Retail Solutions Awards. We believe our solution is the best way to allocate and replenish goods, and we are glad to see that the retail industry has seen the definitive and tangible benefits of the Q solution.”

Phil Wrigley, New Look’s Chairman, concluded: “The Quantum implementation at New Look has been first class. It has placed the customer at the heart of our stock management, and has delivered impressive financial payback.”

About Quantum Retail Technology, Inc.

Quantum Retail answers the new questions facing retailers with a merchandise optimization suite designed for the increasing pace and complexity of the consumer revolution and today’s competitive landscape. Quantum Retail’s solutions solve the most difficult and costly problems retailers face – quickly and permanently. Our Q solution is the answer for: Forecasting and Order Planning – Replenishment and Allocation – Assortment and Range Planning.

About New Look

New Look is a store young women visit for the latest interpretations of the season’s fashion trends at low prices. With over 850 outlets across the continent, the chain is one of Europe’s leading clothing retailers. New Look’s annual group sales grew 14.9% from 2008-2009, after implementing Quantum Retail’s Q inventory management solution. Q software optimized their business strategies and helped streamline and expand their fast-moving retail supply chain. 2008-2009 FINANCIAL RESULTS »