Single BI & Merchandising Platform to Unify Multi-Branded, Multi-Format Stores
Toronto, Canada—Retail software developer MI9 is pleased to announce that the newly formed Central Network Retail Group, LLC (CNRG) will use a suite of solutions from MI9 to help drive its hardware and home center chains to the forefront of the North American hardlines market. This emerging powerhouse will implement MI9 Business Intelligence and MI9 Merchant thereby uniting all its stores on a single platform. Actionable information will be available to users enterprise-wide in real time through MI9 Retail Hub. CNRG will enter its second year in existence with the advantage of using a fully-integrated solution that builds business intelligence into everyday activities.
Based in Memphis, Tennessee, CNRG seeks to offer consumers the regional merchandise selection and availability provided by independent hardware chains and home centers while taking advantage of the merchandising efficiencies enjoyed by national chains. The first such member of Central Network Retail Group was Home Hardware Center, an 18-store chain based in Natchez, Mississippi. Shortly thereafter the company added Cole’s Home Solutions in Ripley, Tennessee; Morrison Terrebonne Lumber Center in Houma, Louisiana; and NFL Building Center in Daphne, Alabama.
“We currently operate 22 stores in the Southeast and are adding 11 more in February,” says CNRG President Boyden Moore. “Using MI9 Business Intelligence and MI9 Merchant will give us the ability to manage the different stores and formats using one ERP solution. None of the other systems we considered could give us the flexibility and scalability we need to meet our company's growth goals.”
Stores will integrate with the home office through the MI9 Retail Hub, a real-time data delivery solution that makes vital, time-sensitive information readily available companywide. CNRG will install the solutions in the cloud, giving member chains unlimited access to the innovative tools. Centralized purchasing and standardized reporting are among the efficiencies that will benefit the new organization as will immediate access to customer and product information at the store level.
Moore continues, “Our decision wasn’t all technology driven. MI9 thoroughly understands the needs of hardware stores and home centers and has many clients in that vertical. They took time to understand our approach and goals and worked with us to create an optimal plan. We want to preserve the customer focus and regional merchandising that the small chains offer while giving them the cutting-edge technology to compete effectively. We think this model is unique among home centers and hardware stores, and we needed a vendor who could offer insight as well as software. I knew I could rely on MI9’s expertise because I am actually a repeat customer. I was very pleased with the selection, implementation and strategic advantage that MI9’s retail solution gave me when I implemented it ten years ago at Marvin's, Inc. The satisfaction of that experience made it hard to consider choosing any other vendor.”
Home centers and hardware stores comprise about 40% of the MI9 customer list. Some of them have been growing with MI9 for more than a decade.
“I was excited when MI9 was asked to participate in this project,” says Mike Burge, CEO of MI9. “This is a rare opportunity to provide a brand new company with the technology set to become a major player in North American hardlines in a short timeframe. CNRG’s strategy pairs well with our solutions which are designed to support multiple banners and channels. Furthermore, CNRG is starting out as a new company with technology in place that most major retailers are just beginning to think about! The MI9 solutions give them a huge strategic advantage. I’m sure that we can help them become a brilliant success.” |
