Case Study: Reaching a 150% Increase in Online Sales After the Implementation of Pimcore

Maja Kermelj, Aleš Sušnik31.01.2020eCommerce

The company Intersport ISI is one of the leading specialized sports equipment stores – in Slovenia as well as abroad. Their physical stores can be found in over 30 locations around Slovenia, while their quality products for an active lifestyle, sports and leisure are the first choice of many sports enthusiasts.

The company first reached out to us in 2017, when we developed their online shop for their new markets and, at the same time, we implemented the platform Pimcore, which makes managing their data a lot simpler. Keen to know what the platform contains and which results we can present after two years of implementation? Read on to find out!

Client’s pains

When Intersport ISI decided to expand to foreign markets (Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro), they needed a partner who could set up the new eCommerce shop, while at the same time they wanted to optimize data management and unify their extensive database.

In order to set up an advanced eCommerce shop, we decided on the platform Magento, while in order to ensure a better user experience, save the client’s time and increase sales, the only logical solution was the platform Pimcore.

Executing the project

We have consistently followed the client’s wishes on owning an online shop that was both functional and visually appealing and user friendly. After performing the first analysis and setting up the goals, the analyzing process was far from over. It stretched throughout the entire duration of our successful cooperation, which made it even easier to upgrade our goals and consequently set up a well-functioning, dynamic eCommerce shop. You can read more about the development of the shop and its functions (quick purchase, last seen products, elastic search engine, efficient basket, etc.) in our project description.

Besides the above-mentioned functions, our goal was also to save the client’s time and increase their sales. Both goals were achieved by implementing the platform Pimcore.

For the needs of the company Intersport ISI we developed a comprehensive product catalog, which includes more than:

• 200,000 products
• 42,000 color combinations
• 27,000 models of products
• 145,000 photos
• 4,300 categories
• 350 brands
• 900 attributes and over 30 attribute groups
• 5 language versions

The entire catalog is saved in the PIM system, which works as a centralized database and enables that all the information is stored in one place. The data is collected, enriched and managed within the same system, which also enables further distribution to other channels – for example the ERP system.

An added value of PIM implementation is also data optimization. The system manages thousands of products according to complex hierarchies, variations and attributes. The products are broken down by brands, names, numbers, colors, sizes, technologies and descriptions, while all of this data is stored in one place, where all Intersport ISI employees as well as external staff (translators, suppliers) can add, edit and upgrade this data (based on their access rights). The information is therefore always accurate, up-to-date, correct and enriched, making the employees’ job easier and allowing the customers to make an informed purchasing decision.

5 technical advantages of using the platform Pimcore

Besides the already mentioned benefits we cannot overlook 5 other key advantages we’ve achieved by implementing Pimcore.
The first three present a great added value for the managers of the online shop Intersport ISI, while the last two improve user experience and consequently increase sales.

1. Automatic categorization

When entering a new product in the database, the entire categorization fills out by itself – on the basis of the FEDAS code. Each number inside the code presents a specific category and subcategory.

Product classification according to the FEDAS code.

2. Color mapping

Both existing and new products are attached to 17 basic colors that can be found in the database of the online shop. Even if a certain brand uses its own color names (e.g. “dark blue” or “turquoise”), these products are automatically categorized as the color “blue”, which we have specified in the database.

At the same time, PIM also allows us to attach 3 different colors to the same product, which is especially useful for multicolor products. For example: white sports shoes with black and grey details are marked with all three colors and can therefore appear in the advanced search of the website user who is looking at any one of those three colors.

When choosing the color blue (left), we can see how many different denominations of the blue we’ve mapped.

3. Size number mapping

Regardless of the origin of the clothes of a certain brand (Europe, America, England, etc.), the database enables a uniform display of sizes. Regardless of whether the sizes of a product are in numbers (36, 38, 40, etc.) or letters (S, M, L, etc.), on the website, PIM will show a unified and predetermined display of European sizes.

A table of size mapping inside the system.

4. Combining the same product models within the database

When using the search engine, the same T-shirt model in different sizes will be displayed to the user as a separate search. When the user clicks on any of these searches, the product page will also display other colors of the same product.

With the help of PIM, the search will show all the color variants of the same model.

5. Related products

Based on the user’s chosen product, PIM will automatically suggest related products. In doing so, it will match four different attributes of the viewed product: product brand, gender, color and size.

Based on the white Nike top we’ve chosen above, the system will suggest related products by taking into account the four attributes.

Results

More than a 150% increase in online sales

The company Intersport ISI has seen a great increase in online sales, which can in part also be attributed to the implementation of PIM. The latter offers an enhanced and advanced user experience, which accelerates the sales channels and encourages the buyer to make a purchase.

50% less time spent for data management

Due to the automated processes for data management inside the PIM platform, the company saves 50% of its time, which can now be invested in other, more important processes, which increase the company’s success.

By implementing the Pimcore platform, we’ve achieved the client’s expectations and help them stand amongst the most successful and efficient online sportswear retailers.

Would you also like to bring your eCommerce shop to a new level?
Make sure you’re one step before your competition with a quality, consistent and transparent PIM database, which will let you save on time and increase your sales in the long run.
Quickly contact us, so we can start writing your success story together!

Maja Kermelj

You won’t find Maja in our offices anymore, but we know that no matter where she is now, she is doing a phenomenal job. We’ve kept a piece of them with us as a memory. :)

Aleš Sušnik

You won’t find Aleš in our offices anymore, but we know that no matter where he is now, he is doing a phenomenal job. We’ve kept a piece of them with us as a memory. :)