The Problem
As the world’s only dedicated cruise retailer, Harding+ operates across 88 ships, partnering with 14 leading cruise lines and running more than 300 stores at sea at any given time. Unlike brick-and-mortar retailers, Harding+ faces a unique set of challenges in managing complex operations in an environment where connectivity is far from guaranteed.
Outdated processes made day-to-day tasks increasingly difficult, and limited visibility created inefficiencies that impacted profitability. Ready to embrace new technology, Harding+ needed tools that would enable colleagues to get the job done even when offline. Enlisting our support, we partnered with them to tackle the two biggest pain points – pricing and stock management.
The Solution
Harding+ had a clear view of their current processes, the shortfalls, and what they needed. Through a series of focused discussions and ship visits, a clear view of existing processes and a deep understanding of the challenge was gained. This valuable insight confirmed that Label IQ and Stock IQ were the right solutions, and from this, a detailed specification was defined.
The Project
Transformative Apps
With just one delivery opportunity per week (a maximum 28-day wait if missed), restocking was a constant race and narrow docking windows forced rushed checks. Thanks to Stock IQ, deliveries are now received into stock quickly and precisely, transforming a race against the clock into a fast, accurate, and controlled process. What was once a blind delivery is now fully visible, with colleagues able to receive stock at pallet, box, and item level, and colour-coded updates show progress in real time.
Pricing products was a daily struggle, printing plain labels on A4 sheets to cut them out and attach manually. Slow and error-prone, this process couldn’t keep pace with frequent price changes, leaving shelves with missing or incorrect prices that frustrated staff and customers. Label IQ changed everything. Colleagues are now empowered to walk up to products, scan them, and instantly print the correct price with their mobile printer. What was once a time-consuming task is now a seamless process that ensures professional, on-brand and accurate pricing is always presented to customers.
A Proven Hardware Combination
To ensure the solution ran seamlessly, Harding+ turned to us for trusted hardware recommendations. Several hardware options were evaluated, and the Zebra TC22 handheld and ZQ620+ mobile printer were chosen for their proven performance and reliability. Harding+ also invested in Zebra ET40 tablets, providing extra devices from day one, but with a clear vision of evolving them into dedicated manager devices to support future requirements.
Seamless Deployment
The project involved software development, complex data integration, alongside the creation of branded label designs. Within just six weeks, we were ready to support the rapid deployment. The onboarding of individual cruise line partners added complexity, with permission required to access their restricted networks. To overcome this, we worked in close collaboration with stakeholders to design a robust deployment plan, carefully aligned with ship docking schedules.
Devices were configured, boxed, and shipped to Harding+’s head office, from where they were distributed directly to ships. This approach allowed for the smooth rollout of up to ten devices per ship. The combination of tight coordination and considered planning enabled us to navigate the complexities of their business while still delivering at speed.
Expert Training & Support
Working closely with a core team, we supported the first on-ship deployment, equipping the Harding+ team with the knowledge needed to continue the rollout in alignment with their complex docking schedule. As their experience and confidence grew, Harding+’s Area Managers are now able to lead future deployments themselves.
Delivering complete peace of mind, our TotalSupport Device Management and TotalSupport Swaps services keep Harding+’s technology estate running seamlessly. Updating devices at sea can be challenging due to large file sizes and limited bandwidth, and so we work closely with Harding+ to carefully manage updates in line with docking schedules, ensuring every device stays current and reliable with 42Gears mobile device management.
The Result
Implementing Label IQ and Stock IQ has empowered the Harding+ team to work smarter, not harder, protecting profits and delivering vast improvements that have significantly boosted efficiency and stock file accuracy.
The implementation of delivery receipting has resulted in a 50% efficiency gain, streamlining the process and significantly reducing average completion time. The structured approach provides clear prioritisation, ensuring that high-demand and time-sensitive products are replenished first.
Label IQ has transformed the onboard retail experience by replacing manual pricing with quick product scans that generate clear, branded labels. This saves staff valuable time while ensuring consistent presentation in line with the Harding+ brand.
Testimonial
“This wasn’t just about reducing shrink, it was about embedding a culture of stock integrity and building a future-proofed platform for decision-making. With TPP Retail, we’ve created a solution that puts accurate data at the heart of our operation, enabling smarter buying, better accountability, and a stronger customer offer.”
Gary Tattersall
Profit Protection Director, Harding+
