Intro
Varner is the home of leading fashion brands Cubus, Dressmann, Bik Bok, Carlings, Volt, Junkyard, and Levi’s, and employs nearly 8,500 people across Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark. Varner has the goal of becoming the leading data and tech-driven fashion company in Scandinavia and they have always prioritized innovation and customer satisfaction across its vast network of stores.
In choosing Sitoo as their POS system with AWS as the backbone of the platform, Varner aimed to future-proof their operations, improve efficiency, and create a stand-out customer experience that’s both intuitive and adaptable. This case study captures their journey, from selecting a new POS solution to implementing a system that’s transforming interactions with customers and setting new records.
Key Results
Improved customer experience with enhanced interaction and faster checkouts.
Easy implementation with minimal training required for store associates.
Real-time data access across locations, reducing lost sales.
Seamless omnichannel capabilities, including endless aisle options.
Dynamic scalability has helped reduce operational costs.
A better employee experience with store associates reporting higher satisfaction and happiness at work thanks to being able to provide better customer service.
Faster deployment of new features and functionality.
Record-breaking sales across pilot stores.
The Background
Varner was looking to upgrade its POS system to keep pace with evolving retail demands.
With a deep commitment to customer service and operational excellence, Varner has built its reputation on understanding and adapting to what its customers and associates truly need. Recognizing that today’s shoppers expect seamless, instant, and personalized service, Varner decided it was time to upgrade their POS system to meet these changing demands.
They aimed to create a system that would cater to staff needs, reduce operational friction, and deliver a cohesive shopping experience across all channels. Varner wanted a POS that not only handled the essentials but also aligned with the brand’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
To find the right solution, Varner prioritized listening to their people: they gathered insights directly from staff and customers, documented pain points, and analyzed how an upgraded system could redefine the shopping experience for both parties.
As Henning Fladland, Product Manager at Varner, explains: “Instead of just switching the system from a technical point of view, we wanted to listen to our staff and customers and see what they needed to make the experience better. This was about laying a foundation that would serve us well into the future.”
The Challenge
Varner needed to find a new POS solution capable of meeting constantly evolving customer expectations at speed, support them in providing excellent customer experiences, and that would easily integrate with their existing systems.
“Around 18 months ago we knew we’d need to find a new POS system. When we went to market we looked into the whole customer experience and wanted to find a vendor who could support us in everything we’re trying to achieve. By combining the best of online and offline worlds, we are creating a truly seamless experience for the consumer through our innovative omnichannel retailing strategy,” says Øyvind Bustnes, Group CFO at Varner.
The Solution
Varner selected Sitoo for our deep understanding of retail, particularly in fashion, and for the platform’s cloud-native, API-first, and headless architecture, which allowed a fast, efficient rollout. The implementation involved workshops with Varner’s technical experts to ensure maximum efficiency and a smooth integration with existing systems. With features like real-time inventory visibility, endless aisle capabilities, and intuitive interface design, Sitoo provided Varner with a robust solution that delivered a smoother checkout process, improved customer interactions, and scalable functionality for seasonal peaks.
The implementation included:
Minimal training: The intuitive interface meant store associates picked up the system in minutes, reducing training time significantly.
Real-time data & endless aisle: Store associates now have instant access to inventory data across all channels, ensuring customers find what they need, whether in-store or available for home delivery.
Scalability: The cloud-native infrastructure allows Varner to handle high-traffic days without technical disruptions, essential for campaign-driven sales spikes.
Customer engagement: The sleek design and mobile functionality allow associates to interact with customers on the sales floor, enhancing the shopping experience and building stronger customer relationships.
Cloud-native technology using AWS platform: As a cloud-native solution using AWS platform, Sitoo provides Varner with high-performance, secure, and scalable retail technology, that ensures efficient and cost-effective operations.
The Outcome
Since implementing Sitoo, Varner has achieved remarkable results. They set record sales days in several stores, and associates report increased satisfaction with a system that “just works.”
Customer interactions are smoother, with faster checkouts, fewer support calls, and an interface that blends into Varner’s modern store aesthetic. By uniting Sitoo POS with their operational goals, Varner is now poised for future growth, adapting quickly to emerging trends and delivering a cohesive shopping experience across every channel.
As Varner looks to the future, they see Sitoo as an integral part of their journey, enabling further innovation. With real-time data, omnichannel capabilities, and a flexible architecture, Sitoo supports Varner’s mission to be at the forefront of retail technology, enhancing both the employee and customer experience. Together, Varner and Sitoo are breaking new ground in modern retail, forging a dynamic partnership that’s ready for whatever the future holds.
The partnership between Varner and Sitoo exemplifies collaboration and mutual growth. With retail expertise and technological prowess from both Varner and Sitoo, the two organizations have developed a system that empowers staff, delights customers, and drives business growth.
Henning Fladland highlights this synergy: “Together, we’ve been dynamite - bringing expertise from both sides to create something truly remarkable.”
