Discover how Drawer, a fast-growing online furniture retailer, transformed its product data management from a chaotic, manual process to a streamlined, AI-driven system that supports rapid expansion and elevates the customer experience.
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In the oversaturated and competitive world of online furniture sales, staying ahead requires more than just high-quality products; it’s essential to bring something new to the table (no pun intended). It demands operational efficiency, a diverse and ever-evolving product catalog, and the ability to provide customers with rich, accurate, and engaging product information that drives purchasing decisions.
Drawer, a French online furniture retailer, recognized this trend early on, but faced common issues whilst attempting to expand its international market presence. The company's COO, Vincent Mazzucco, shared how they overcame these hurdles by embracing innovative technology solutions, assembling a solid foundation for future growth.
No matter how big or small, behind every person and business lies an aspiration — one that drives them to surpass their current state. Naturally, they utilize the method they trust best to achieve their goals, but it can be aggravating when the method falls flat, derailing plans for success.
Can you relate? Chances are, you can; and so can Drawer.
The eCommerce furniture seller aspired to expand their product catalog and enter international markets. However, it became apparent that their existing systems weren’t capable of even supporting this; with over 90 different families and nearly 300 unique attributes, managing product data for even one country was a nightmare, let alone five.
Their main obstacle was managing product data from various suppliers, each providing information in different formats and quality levels. Their past approach to tackle this problem was manually inputting their data via Excel spreadsheets with 350 columns, which meant that data was often inputted incorrectly, outdated, or simply nonexistent. It took Drawer on average three months to launch their products, only for them to be deactivated two weeks later.
And this is not uncommon; in a recent survey of B2B industry leaders, we found that 70% took at least one month to collect, collate, and enrich product data, and a whopping 99% said their organization faced at least one product information challenge.
Drawer’s COO, Vincent Mazzucco put it perfectly when he stated that their “old solution was not reliable enough’ for the company to grow.
Instead of staying with their old methods, Drawer knew they had to clean out their closet and embrace a fresh, new setup.
Leveraging Akeneo’s Supplier Data Manager (SDM), Drawer transformed its approach to organizing supplier data, allowing the retailer to successfully and consistently enrich product data, streamline product launches, and efficiently expand its product range.
Mazzucco stated that “Thanks to SDM, we can onboard new products within days”, positioning the retailer’s products for sale within three weeks instead of a few months and allowing them to adapt to market demands swiftly and easily.
AI played a pivotal role in optimizing Drawer’s data management strategies, empowering the retailer to streamline its operations and enhance its product information quality. At the core of this transformation was Akeneo’s SDM, where Drawer utilized AI-driven data extraction tools to simplify and accelerate the complex process of product data entry.
Using advanced AI capabilities, Drawer automated the extraction of product attributes from textual descriptions provided by suppliers. Instead of manually inputting specifications, dimensions, materials, and other critical product details, Drawer’s team could rely on AI to populate these attributes accurately and efficiently, which led to a faster product release cycle.
The AI-driven approach also ensured a higher level of data consistency and completeness across the entire product range. With a standardized and enriched data set, Drawer could present customers with comprehensive, accurate product information that built trust and reduced confusion in the buying journey. The result? A seamless experience where shoppers can explore a broad and varied selection, confident in the quality and detail of the information provided for every product.
The integration of Akeneo’s SDM into Drawer’s systems didn’t just enhance data quality, but it transformed the retailer’s entire workflow. While Drawer initially anticipated cleaner, more consistent product information, they were pleasantly surprised by a substantial boost in workflow efficiency across departments.
With a more robust data management strategy, Drawer’s teams found themselves empowered to focus more deeply on their areas of expertise. Each department took ownership of specific facets of product information, creating a streamlined process that minimized errors and allowed for faster, more precise data handling. This new structure not only improved data accuracy but also fostered a collaborative environment where departments could operate with clear roles and responsibilities, ultimately delivering a more cohesive and efficient product data experience.
No longer bogged down by outdated processes and cumbersome data management, Drawer is now positioned for continued growth with a streamlined, efficient workflow that allows them to scale effortlessly. They have not only expanded their product range but also enhanced the quality and consistency of product information, resulting in a seamless, reliable shopping experience that builds customer trust and satisfaction.
As Drawer continues to expand, they’re equipped with a robust data management strategy that sets them apart from the competition. Akeneo’s cloud-based technology has provided them with the tools they need to adapt swiftly to market demands, enter new regions, and innovate at scale, all without compromising data quality. For Drawer, this transformation marks just the beginning, as they look forward to future opportunities with a solid foundation and the agility to meet the evolving needs of their customers.
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