#USA #Inventory Management #Nedap #VF Corporation #Groenlo

VF Corporation Partners with Nedap for Enhanced Inventory Visibility

In an exciting move for the retail industry, VF Corporation has officially entered into a strategic partnership with Nedap, a prominent leader in item-level inventory visibility solutions. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in VF's efforts to optimize its global store network, promoting transparency and efficiency within its retail operations.

A Noteworthy Initiative

Nedap, known for its innovative inventory management technology, will facilitate VF Corporation in achieving a cohesive overview of its inventory across an expansive portfolio of over 1,500 stores worldwide. This initiative, which is scheduled to begin rolling out in the second quarter of 2026, will first target The North Face brand, followed by an extension to include other brands under the VF umbrella, which boasts names like Vans and Timberland.

The core objective of this partnership is to create an integrated inventory view that combines reliable stock information from all VF activities. By utilizing Nedap’s powerful inventory engine, VF aims to enhance stock accuracy and product availability, thus improving the overall omnichannel performance across all regions.

Enhancing Retail Experience

Carsten Trenz, VF's Vice President of Digital, emphasizes the expectation of consistency from consumers when they shop online, in store, or through any brand touchpoints. By having comprehensive visibility across operations, VF will ensure a seamless and reliable shopping experience, increasing customer loyalty in the long run.

Hope Waldron, VP of Supply Chain Strategy at VF, adds that this initiative extends to various distribution channels, thereby improving visibility and helping to combat gray market activities while strengthening brand protection. The commitment to transparency throughout the supply chain will significantly boost VF's ability to fulfill product availability and offer a consistent customer experience.

Why Nedap Was Chosen

VF Corporation chose to collaborate with Nedap after successfully piloting an alternative solution. Following the pilot, VF reevaluated its long-term needs concerning scalability, architecture, and global support. The decision came on the heels of recognizing Nedap’s strengths, including:

• - A robust, innovative platform architecture that can scale seamlessly.
• - Proven expertise in guiding businesses through complex, large-scale deployments.
• - A community of users that promotes continuous improvement and shared innovation among major retailers.

In Hilbert Dijkstra's words, the General Manager of Retail at Nedap, “In today's business landscape, unified commerce can only thrive when brands rely on a consistent source of truth for their inventory.” He notes that VF's investment in comprehensive inventory visibility is a reflection of its clear commitment to future success, enabling seamless service to consumers across all channels.

Nedap has made its mark in the retail sector by converting inventory movements into actionable real-time insights. Their inventory engine connects item movements between retail stores, distribution centers, and factories, resulting in a trustworthy inventory view for the complete retail sales chain. The technology is founded on open global standards and is trusted by leading global brands, driving actionable insights that boost availability, increase efficiency, and minimize losses.

About Nedap and VF Corporation

Founded in 1929 and based in Groenlo, Netherlands, Nedap is a leader in digital twin technology, bridging the physical and digital realms in retail, security, and various other sectors. With its philosophy of “Technology for Life,” Nedap designs sustainable and cutting-edge solutions to empower individuals and organizations in an ever-changing world. The company employs a workforce of over 1,000 and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam since 1947.

VF Corporation, known for its influential portfolio of outdoor and active lifestyle brands including The North Face, Vans, and Timberland, is committed to offering consumers high-performance, design-centric products while delivering long-term value to its employees, communities, and shareholders. For more details, visit vfc.com.