Création Gross, established in 1925, is a family-owned company that operates two pioneering global brands in the menswear vertical.

With a history spanning nearly a century, Création Gross has experienced significant growth, collaborating with more than 1,000 specialised retailers worldwide.

Previously, the business relied on multiple Dynamics 2012 R3 systems in conjunction with an outdated fashion-specific solution.

To future-proof the organisation, it became evident that a digital transformation journey was essential, involving an upgrade to Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations and the adoption of a new fashion solution.

While several solutions were considered, K3 stood out due to its reputation as a top Microsoft Global Independent Software Vendor (GISV) with a strong focus on the fashion industry.

More specifically, Création Gross was attracted to K3 Fashion’s tailor-made nature which was designed to support seasonality and the handling of size and colour variants in inventory.

Furthermore, K3’s collaborative approach to development and innovation was a key driver in the decision.

As a GISV with a broad customer base, K3 harnesses the collective input and feedback from all its clients to continuously enhance its solutions.

The communal approach meant that Création Gross would benefit from a product that continually evolves and improves.

Moreover, since K3 Fashion is embedded within D365 F&O, it adheres to Microsoft’s release cadence and follows a “One Version” strategy, allowing Création Gross to deploy upgrades and updates efficiently.

Tobias Schuhmacher, Head of IT and Organisation at Création Gross, emphasised that this project wasn’t just a technology upgrade; it represented a cultural shift toward a more data-driven and agile mindset.

The transformation enabled the company to swiftly respond to market demands, gain a better understanding of its customers, and streamline its supply chain while preserving the brand’s essence.

Prior to adopting K3 Fashion, Création Gross faced complexity in its ERP environment due to the operation of a dual-mandate system which led to several inefficiencies.

These included inaccurate inventory levels, ordering processing issues, and financial discrepancies.

Given the critical role of the wholesale channel in its operations, the company needed granular visibility and control over inventory to make informed decisions regarding stock levels and distribution to mitigate the risk of overstocking or stockouts.

To address these issues, the business harnessed K3 Fashion’s advanced capabilities and extended the solution to enable smaller, more frequent replenishment orders.

One of the most significant benefits K3 Fashion brought to Création Gross was the ability to manage backlog on future production comprehensively, allowing the supply chain team to plan accordingly to the goods already sold in the next production order.

This ensured not only guaranteed stock for customers but also precise delivery dates, increasing customer trust and satisfaction.

K3 Fashion was described as more than just a tool for managing the wholesale business; it served as a catalyst for a more dynamic and customer-oriented approach, resulting in increased repeat business and stronger partnerships with clients.

The just-in-time delivery model ensured that inventory was managed more efficiently, reducing risks and overhead costs.

“Ultimately, this modern approach to wholesale – treating it with the same care and attention to detail as retail – has not only streamlined our operations but positively impacted our bottom line,” said Tobias.

In addition to improving forecasting accuracy and reliability, K3 Fashion enhanced data accuracy through centralised data management.

Création Gross anticipates that the solution will enable greater customer personalisation in the future, as it expects to deliver even more personalised and targeted offerings (i.e., custom stock levels) to further boost engagement and loyalty.

Furthermore, the transparency provided by K3 Fashion into its supply chain will enable the company to align with sustainability initiatives, reducing waste and improving its overall environmental footprint.

“With K3, we are part of a larger ecosystem where the pace of development is not only set by us, but also by the collective drive and vision of all the companies using K3 Fashion. This not only enhances the value of our investment, but also exposes us to best practices and innovative ideas from across the fashion industry. This alleviates pressure on our internal IT team to develop custom solutions and allows us to focus on our core business objectives, secure in the knowledge that our ERP system is adaptable and future-proofed,” added Tobias.

When asked for advice to other fashion companies considering K3, Tobias emphasised the importance of thoroughly evaluating current processes and pain points, and embracing the solution with a flexible mindset.

He noted that K3’s close relationship with Microsoft and the wider D365 ecosystem community allows companies to leverage the experiences of others, but success depends on willingness to adapt and rethink traditional ways of doing business.

K3 Fashion is not a static system; it’s constantly evolving, making it a powerful tool for future growth, providing companies remain agile and open to change.

Tobias concluded by saying:

“My advice to other fashion companies considering K3? It’s a smart move. You’re not just buying a solution – you’re joining a collective that’s shaping the future of fashion technology. Together, we are stronger and with K3, we can push the boundaries of what’s possible in our industry.”