IRI Sells Space Management Software Arm for $10.5m

Consumer specialist Information Resources Inc (IRI) has sold its Apollo Retail Space and Assortment Planning unit to retail software firm Aldata, for around $10.5m.

Apollo software is used by more than 300 retail and CPG (consumer packaged goods) companies to help them make category management decisions and maximize their retail space planning process.

The firms say that combining Aldata's supply chain optimization services with Apollo's space planning service will enable forecasted product demand levels to be integrated more seamlessly into a retailer's space planning process. Automated 'planograms' can then be produced to allocate the optimum space for each product, based on both its performance and stock level.

'The agreement to divest our Apollo software division is part of IRI's strategy to focus on our core business, which includes marketing information, consumer and shopper insights, predictive analytics, and shopper loyalty,' explained IRI CFO Mike Duffey. 'Aldata has a rich history of developing high-quality software solutions for the retail and wholesale sectors, making them a natural candidate to acquire Apollo.'

Aldata develops supply chain management software for the international retail, wholesale, and manufacturing sectors. The company has committed to further expanding the Apollo portfolio. President and CEO Bertrand Sciard said that the acquisition will not only provide 'best of breed' planning and delivery tools, it will also offer his firm access to IRI's US customers, which supports its strategy to build a larger presence in the US.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of tomorrow.

Web sites: www.infores.com and www.aldata-solution.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

• Information Resources
• All news