From
Complexity
to Clarity

For more than a century, Bermuda’s Gibbons Company has evolved and innovated to become the icon it is today. As Bermuda’s largest and most fashion-forward department store, it has grown from a single storefront to a multifaceted retail group offering everything from top fashion brands to home essentials.

But running a retail empire on an island has its own unique challenges, especially when it comes to importing. “Ensuring that we can bring in the products people want, at a price they’re willing to pay, is a challenge, but a fun challenge,” says Tony Thompson, CEO of Gibbons Company.

As part of a larger group of companies, Gibbons sought ways to streamline its customs and importing processes. “We were looking to make duty processing and payments more efficient,” says Tony. “The duty list is extensive, and getting through it was very time-consuming.”

Enter ABC, an automated bonds and customs solution recommended and developed by Gateway Systems, Gibbons’ internal IT partner. The platform eliminates double entry, reduces errors and clearance delays, and accelerates the import process, from purchase order to pick up.

Since Gibbons implemented ABC, the results have been tangible. Over the past four years, for example, the company has increased the number of styles and SKUs carried. “We've added two more locations and with new SKUs as well,” says Tony. “And we haven't had to increase our staff in the receiving department. That alone is proof that we can process more with less overhead.”

Gibbons, which has been family owned and operated since 1916, takes pride in being able to offer the very latest consumer goods from countries that include the U.S., Canada, Panama, the U.K., Spain, India, and China. Managing that importing process is key. 

“ABC has helped with the way that we categorize merchandise to pay the tariffs. It's made that process much simpler,” says Tony. “Not only have we seen a reduction in the time that it takes to process merchandise and orders, but it has also increased the accuracy. When you reduce how often a person has to manually touch something, you reduce the risk of mistakes.”

ABC’s integration with the company’s accounting system has also made access to information much simpler. “When requests for reports are made, there never seems to be a challenge of finding the information that's been asked,” says Tony. “The accounting team and the team that manages the receipt of goods, they have nothing but positive things to say about ABC.”

Standing behind ABC is Gateway Systems, which provides support for other technical initiatives and challenges throughout the Gibbons group of companies. “Gateway has been an important partner to ensure that we're able to get initiatives off ground and keep them running smoothly,” says Tony.