How Pollux PLM Simplified Product Lifecycle Management for a Leading Retail Brand

Executive Summary

A fast-scaling lifestyle retailer operating across the GCC region was facing growing pressure from SKU expansion, regional regulations, and fragmented collaboration across departments. Product development cycles were delayed, compliance checks were manual, and frequent returns were eroding margins.

To bring agility and visibility to their operations, the company implemented Pollux PLM. Within six months, they shortened new product introduction (NPI) timelines by 30%, cut approval delays by more than half, and reduced SKU-level errors-all without disrupting existing systems or overhauling their ERP.

Company Background

The retailer manages a portfolio of fashion, home, and personal care brands distributed through both physical stores and ecommerce. With each category adding new SKUs every season, the merchandising, design, quality, and sourcing teams struggled to stay aligned.

Each department worked in silos using spreadsheets, emails, and local file storage. Miscommunications led to packaging errors, delayed launches, and even compliance fines. With expansion into new geographies, the operational cracks became harder to ignore.

Business Challenges

Core Pain Points:

Disjointed Processes: Multiple handoffs between teams created blind spots and rework.

Slow Approvals: Seasonal products often missed launch windows due to delayed vendor or QA approvals.

High Error Rates: Product details like sizing, packaging, and labeling were inconsistent across channels.

Compliance Complexity: Country-specific packaging and safety norms were manually tracked, making audits and reporting tedious.

“We had the right people, but the wrong tools. Every season felt like a race against chaos,” shared a -Head of Merchandising.

Why Pollux PLM

After shortlisting several solutions, the team chose Pollux PLM for its intuitive UX, ability to mirror retail workflows, and smart automation across data-heavy tasks.

Key Decision Factors:

Pollux stood out for delivering visibility without complexity-empowering teams to move faster while staying compliant.

Implementation Journey

Phase 1: Discovery & Customization (Weeks 1–3)Stakeholder workshops were held to map out retail-specific approval flows. Templates were customized for different product categories.

Phase 2: System Integration (Weeks 4–8)Pollux was connected to the existing PIM and ERP platforms. Data syncs were automated across product specs, vendors, and SKUs.

Phase 3: Training & Launch (Weeks 9–12)Cross-functional onboarding was conducted by role. Within two weeks, most users were handling their tasks independently.

Key Features Used

Category-Based Version ControlDesign changes, packaging updates, and copy revisions are tracked at SKU-level, reducing confusion during seasonal rollouts.

Approval Workflow AutomationApprovals for new launches or changes are auto-assigned based on role and category, cutting delays and missed handoffs.

Retail Compliance EnginePollux tracks region-specific packaging and labeling requirements. Any mismatch triggers alerts before production.

Multi-Vendor CollaborationVendors submit packaging proofs, barcodes, and samples via the PLM portal. This shortens feedback loops and reduces email clutter.

Live Product Status DashboardsMerchandisers and leadership can track product status in real-time across design, QA, and procurement.

Results & Measurable Impact

In a retail environment where speed-to-market and SKU precision define success, Pollux PLM helped reshape how teams work across the product lifecycle. Instead of being reactive to delays, errors, or compliance risks, the organization developed a more proactive rhythm of execution.

Accelerated Product Launches

With real-time handoffs and centralized product data, cross-functional teams-from design to sourcing-were able to align faster. Seasonal collections no longer depended on manual nudges or siloed trackers. As a result, new product introductions followed a predictable, repeatable cadence-enabling in-store and ecommerce channels to launch in sync.

Smoother Approval Cycles

Automated routing of product changes and category approvals eliminated the bottlenecks caused by email-based coordination. Teams found it easier to trust the system, knowing that tasks wouldn’t slip through the cracks. Decision-making became quicker, freeing managers to focus on assortment strategy rather than chasing updates.

Fewer SKU-Level Mistakes

The platform’s version control and validation rules minimized errors that typically emerge during rapid catalog changes-like mislabeling, packaging mismatches, or incorrect regional formats. Teams could catch inconsistencies early in the development cycle, which significantly reduced downstream disruptions like rework, returns, or compliance flags.

Improved Audit & Compliance Readiness

By embedding region-specific requirements into the workflow, Pollux ensured that every product variation adhered to local safety, labeling, and packaging norms. Teams no longer had to manually piece together documentation during audits-data was readily available, structured, and time-stamped.

Client Testimonial

Pollux PLM gave our teams a shared language. It removed the guesswork from retail execution. We’re no longer reactive-we’re ready.”- Retail Operations Director