Amber Engine Launches Product Data Portal for Furniture Retailers

January 18, 2017  by Larry Thomas in Industry, Internet, Retail Technology   

A subscription-based platform, Amber Engine for Retailers allows retailers to manage the flow of product data for the brands they carry, while supporting core operational needs with flexible and powerful product data outputs. These include exports for websites, retail management systems, point-of-sale systems, marketplaces and customized output needs.

The platform allows different access, visibility and functionality, depending on the user. Those users can merchandise their product assortment into kits and groups for better positioning to potential customers, as well as easily manage product pricing.

"It's very exciting day for everyone," said Jesse Akre, the company's chief strategy officer. "For many years, I have witnessed firsthand the impact product data can have on businesses in home furnishings. Whether it be a manufacturer, retailer, service provider, rep or consumer – everyone is affected by the product data problem that plagues this industry. It stalls growth, inhibits innovation and cuts profitability.”

Manufacturers in the home furnishings and décor industry have been working with Amber Engine to upload their product data and imagery for the past several months, at no cost to them. While accessing Amber Engine for Manufacturers, companies with one or multiple brands can control and share their product data with their retail partners. Retailers, in turn, can easily request access to brands and get actionable alerts of product and pricing change, the company said.

Amber Engine has made significant gains in the home furnishings space by partnering with industry associations on educational initiatives and speaking at furniture markets and industry events.

They launched Amber Engine for Manufacturers earlier this year, and debuted Amber Engine for Retailers at Fall High Point Market.

The company will be at the upcoming Las Vegas Market in the Retailer Resource Center offering a 60-day free trial to retailers who sign up for the service.

"The response to our vision has been overwhelming this past year," according to CEO and founder Jennifer Gilbert. "There has been a monumental shift in mindset as the industry questions its own mortality. Retailers and manufacturers alike realize that the adoption of technology is no longer 'tomorrow's project', but is the single most important action 'today' to ensure their company's place in the future."