Unifying Global Operations for Sustainable Growth at Manolo Blahnik
Speaking to Elite Business, Chief Operating Officer Wioletta Bogus detailed how Oracle NetSuite has been instrumental in transforming the luxury footwear brand’s operations. By unifying disparate systems, streamlining workflows, and fostering a connected, data-driven environment, NetSuite has supported Manolo Blahnik’s ambitious global expansion.
Creating a Single Source of Truth
Prior to adopting NetSuite, Manolo Blahnik managed finance, logistics, and fulfilment through separate, unintegrated systems. While these individual systems performed adequately on their own, the lack of integration created operational inefficiencies that hindered broader business visibility and agility.
“We had multiple systems which were doing quite well in the right places,” Bogus explained. “But to know where our goods were, we had to check one system, then another, and sometimes even a third. It was time-consuming and inefficient.”
NetSuite’s unified platform provided real-time transparency across inventory, orders, and financial transactions, enabling the company to track goods movement and financial data seamlessly within a single system.
“When we take an order from a customer, place manufacturing purchase orders, manage stock and fulfil orders, all of that now happens in the same system,” Bogus said. “We can follow the movement of goods and see the financial transactions reflected immediately.”
This integration was especially critical as Manolo Blahnik expanded internationally, allowing for a more streamlined operational model that supports both growth and complexity.
Tailoring Technology to Luxury Retail
Implementing a new system in the luxury retail space comes with unique challenges, particularly for a brand like Manolo Blahnik, which operates on a made-to-order basis rather than a traditional pick-and-pack model. This bespoke production approach required custom workflows and system adaptations to fit the company’s specific needs.
“We don’t operate a typical pick-and-pack model,” Bogus noted. “We make to order, so we had to design specific customisations to make the system work for us.”
Furthermore, seasonality and fashion collection schedules had to be carefully integrated to reflect the business’s rhythm accurately. Bogus emphasized the importance of strong executive sponsorship and a structured rollout process to ensure success.
“It needs to start with executive sponsors,” she said. “This is not a systems project. It’s a company project. It changes the way the company operates.”
AI with Purpose
Alongside digital transformation, Manolo Blahnik is adopting artificial intelligence (AI) with a clear focus on purposeful, outcome-driven applications rather than following industry hype. The company prioritizes education and understanding before integrating AI tools.
“We educated ourselves first,” Bogus said. “Several of us, including myself, completed an AI course at the University of Oxford. We wanted to understand the principles properly and cut through the noise.”
This deliberate approach has enabled Manolo Blahnik to build a targeted AI strategy that enhances operational efficiency and supports concrete business goals rather than experimenting for experimentation’s sake.
“Some companies ask, ‘Do we need AI?’ and adopt it for the sake of it,” Bogus added. “But for us, it’s about using it as a tool – something that serves the business and improves efficiency, not something just to keep up.”
Growth Built on Visibility
Looking forward, NetSuite remains central to Manolo Blahnik’s international growth strategy. According to Bogus, the platform acts as an operational enabler by providing critical visibility that informs better decision-making across the organisation.
“Software is a tool, an operational enabler,” she said. “But what NetSuite gives us is visibility. And when you have visibility, you can make better decisions.”
As the brand expands into new markets, the ability to operate globally while maintaining consistent control and oversight has become essential.
“As we expand into new territories, it’s important to keep everything in one system,” Bogus explained. “NetSuite allows us to operate across different countries while maintaining control and consistency.”
Ultimately, the implementation of NetSuite has done more than just improve daily operations. By unifying systems, increasing transparency, and embedding data-driven decision-making into the company’s DNA, Manolo Blahnik has laid a robust foundation for sustainable, long-term growth.
Source: Here
