Xcel Brands, Inc. Selects CGS BlueCherry® Suite to Accelerate Private Label and Wholesale Expansion Strategies


NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CGS, a global provider of business applications, enterprise learning and outsourcing services, today announced that Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:XELB), the media and consumer products company, selected BlueCherry® Enterprise Suite of cloud-based solutions, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Business Intelligence (BI) and EDI. The BlueCherry suite provides end-to-end capabilities for apparel, footwear and consumer lifestyle brands.

Xcel Brands owns and manages the Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka, Halston, C. Wonder and Highline Collective brands. The New York-based company pioneered an omnichannel sales strategy that includes the promotion and sale of products under its brands through direct-response television, internet, brick-and-mortar retail and eCommerce channels.  Initially a brand management company, Xcel recently expanded to wholesale of private label / branded apparel. The company wanted to implement an ERP system for order management to improve workflow for its apparel and jewelry divisions.
  
With extensive expertise and resources in the apparel market, the CGS BlueCherry suite of cloud solutions will support Xcel’s current and future business as it transitions from brand management to wholesaler of apparel and accessories, helping the company in its changing business model to increase market share and revenue.  

“We’re excited to further Xcel’s most popular apparel and accessory labels, but our changing business model calls for streamlining the process and technology used to meet customer demands,” said Robert D’Loren, Chairman and CEO of Xcel Brands. “By choosing a proven solution that many apparel and consumer product brands have successfully implemented, we expect BlueCherry to help us meet our goals.”

“With over 30 years of experience in the fashion apparel market, CGS understands the value of having the right solutions in place to efficiently and effectively run business operations,” said Paul Magel, president, Business Applications and Technology Outsourcing division, CGS. “We are thrilled to welcome Xcel Brands to our thriving BlueCherry community of apparel and consumer goods customers and look forward to building a long-lasting relationship with the team.”  

CGS’s BlueCherry® Enterprise Suite provides clients with a powerful, comprehensive set of tools to drive their fundamental business processes. It focuses on the needs of high-growth organizations operating in the consumer lifestyle products, retail and apparel industries. The BlueCherry Enterprise Suite’s built-in capacity addresses the needs of all core management, planning, product development, manufacturing, logistics, finance, and sales functions.

About Xcel Brands, Inc.  

Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:XELB) is a media and consumer products company engaged in the design, production, marketing, and direct-to-consumer sales of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, jewelry, home goods, and other consumer products, and the acquisition of dynamic consumer lifestyle brands. Xcel was founded by Robert W. D’Loren in 2011 with a vision to reimagine shopping, entertainment, and social as one. Xcel owns and manages the Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka, Halston, C. Wonder, and Highline Collective brands, pioneering a ubiquitous sales strategy which includes the promotion and sale of products under its brands through direct-response television, internet, brick and mortar retail, and e-commerce channels. Headquartered in New York City, Xcel Brands is led by an executive team with significant production, merchandising, design, marketing, retailing, and licensing experience, and a proven track record of success in elevating branded consumer products companies.  With a team of over 100 professionals focused on design, production, and digital marketing, Xcel maintains control of product quality and promotion across all of its product categories and distribution channels. Xcel differentiates by design. www.xcelbrands.com 

About CGS
For nearly 35 years, CGS has enabled global enterprises, regional companies and government agencies to drive breakthrough performance through business applications, enterprise learning and outsourcing services. CGS is wholly focused on creating comprehensive solutions that meet clients' complex, multi-dimensional needs and support clients' most fundamental business activities. Headquartered in New York City, CGS has offices across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. For more information, please visit www.cgsinc.com and follow us on Twitter at @CGSinc and @BlueCherryCGS and on Facebook.

Media Contact:
Susan Sweeney, CGS
newsroom@cgsinc.com

Kate Connors (for CGS)
kconnors@pancomm.com