Centric Software® is pleased to announce that Gémo has successfully deployed Centric PLM™ to drive its global digital transformation. Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to plan, design, develop, source, buy, make, price, allocate, sell and replenish products such as fashion, outdoor, luxury, multi-category retail, grocery, food & beverage, cosmetics & personal care and consumer electronics to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals.
Founded in 1991, Gémo, a subsidiary of the Eram Group, has a network of 440 shops and employs nearly 4,000 people. The brand—like the company—has remained true to its values and the company’s historic slogan: “We’re not done simplifying your life,” offering families durable, high-quality footwear and clothing at affordable prices.
In 2019, Gémo launched a major transformation project to consolidate its international growth and accelerate its omnichannel distribution. Centric Software was selected for its agile approach, numerous customer references and the power of its ready-to-use platform, which quickly won over Gémo’s managers.
Samuel Angebault, Transformation Project Director at the Eram Group, looks back at the beginning of the project and the choice of Centric PLM. “The deployment of Centric PLM is part of a global overhaul of our internal and external tools. Our previous systems no longer matched the evolution of our business and the technical challenges we face today. They were increasingly difficult to maintain. The situation placed our business at too high a risk.”
Called ERP21, the modernization plan involved the simultaneous deployment of a new ERP and PLM solution together with a procurement management tool, to replace about ten obsolete systems. “Centric PLM is a key element of the new order: its platform covers the entire breadth of our offering, from product development to streamlining quality control through the consolidation of partnerships with our suppliers,” says Angebault. By deploying cutting-edge technologies, Gémo intends to structure all of its operational processes and integrate its entire value chain.
Gémo’s transformation journey began with the selection of Centric Software. “We opted for a three-wave roll-out,” explains Joanne Moisan, Business Project Manager. “Accessories, our smallest market, were integrated into Centric PLM in March 2024, then footwear in April, and finally textile—our main market—will be in November.” Eventually, almost 250 Gémo employees will be using the solution: product managers, stylists, product developers and quality managers as well as representatives from offices in Asia and buyers. The supplier portal, audit and quality, and product planning are among the modules already in use.
Despite the length of the project and the complexity of deploying these new enterprise systems simultaneously, Angebault was struck strength of support from Centric both in terms of the reliability of the teams and the high standard of their work.
For her part, Moisan emphasizes the satisfaction of the product managers and the positive feedback received from the creative and technical teams. “Day-to-day work is faster. Thanks to Centric PLM, 12,000 to 13,000 references will be renewed in just a few clicks each year for textiles alone.”
“We have met our strict budget and deadlines. We now possess one of the best tools on the market and intend to use it to support our teams and Gémo’s omnichannel growth in the ultra-competitive retail sector,” concludes Jean-Michel Favre, Gémo’s Director of Operations.
“We are proud of our association with Gémo and to accompany them in their business transformation,” says Chris Groves, CEO of Centric Software. “We are looking forward to seeing all Gémo’s market successes, and will continue to support them in the future development of their innovation strategy.”
