Suitsupply Gains Real-Time Sales Insights with Devoteam’s Custom Mobile App

Client Background

Suitsupply, a leading men’s fashion retailer, needed real-time insights into their business performance across multiple levels—tracking metrics like average spend per customer, store comparisons, and regional trends. Their goal was to empower frontline employees, store managers, and executives with easy access to sales data to improve decision-making.

The Challenge

Suitsupply’s main issue was limited access to sales data:

• Data Silos: Sales data was stored in Looker, accessible only to the data team. Store employees and managers lacked direct access, preventing them from making data-driven decisions.
• No Real-Time Insights: Without current sales performance metrics, store and regional managers struggled to set realistic goals.
• Poor User Experience: Existing tools were slow, unintuitive, and difficult to use on mobile devices, making it hard for employees to extract useful insights.

Without an effective way to visualize sales data, Suitsupply’s workforce operated with delayed and incomplete information, limiting their ability to respond quickly to business trends.

The Solution

Devoteam developed a React Native mobile application that provided real-time sales insights to sales associates, store managers, and C-suite executives. This work was delivered by Devoteam’s Digital Lab, our dedicated team for custom app development and modernisation.

Why React Native?

• Faster Development: The Devoteam team had strong expertise in React Native, allowing for faster delivery compared to developing a native Swift app.
• Cross-Platform Support: The app worked seamlessly across iOS and Android.
• Integration with Looker: Since Suitsupply’s data was already stored in Looker, Devoteam built a backend solution that efficiently fetched data, ensuring a smooth experience.

Key Features & Benefits:

Implementation & Execution

• Devoteam maintained daily tech syncs with Suitsupply’s data and design teams.
• An initial Looker Extension approach was pivoted to a dedicated mobile app due to design limitations.
• A dedicated backend solution was built to optimise data transfer and caching.
• Close collaboration with the client allowed for rapid problem solving.

Project Roadblock & Pivot

Originally, the plan was to develop a Looker Extension within the existing Looker app. However, testing revealed significant design limitations on mobile devices:

❌ Poor Formatting: The Looker app altered the extension’s design in ways Devoteam could not control.
❌ Inconsistent User Experience: Data didn’t display correctly on mobile, making it difficult for employees to extract insights.

The Shift to a Native Mobile App

After close collaboration with Niek, the decision was made to switch to a full-fledged mobile app. While this required employees to download a separate app, it provided:

✅ Full Control Over UI/UX – Allowing for an intuitive, polished design.
✅ Improved Performance – Faster data retrieval and rendering.
✅ Scalability – The app could evolve independently of Looker’s platform limitations.

Impact & Results

The new mobile app transformed Suitsupply’s sales operations:

✔ Enhanced Data Accessibility – Employees gained direct access to real-time sales insights.
✔ Improved Decision-Making – Managers could set realistic sales targets based on up-to-date data.
✔ Minimal Latency & Faster Data Processing – Caching strategies at both the backend and Looker level significantly reduced load times.
✔ Stronger Client Satisfaction – The handsome UI, fast performance, and ease of use were praised by Suitsupply.

Additionally, the custom backend that was built led to optimised data caching & transfer, ensuring fast response times.

Conclusion

Suitsupply’s partnership with Devoteam showcases how custom mobile solutions can drive business transformation. By providing real-time access to critical data, Devoteam empowered Suitsupply to optimise decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the overall employee experience.