Gryadka Orange / SV Group: From Manual Ordering to Automated Forecasting with MySales Labs
SV Group, operating under the Gryadka Orange retail brand, manages a network of 40 convenience stores across the Zaporizhzhia and Cherkasy regions of Ukraine. With nearly 3,900 SKUs and 120 suppliers, the company faced growing challenges in managing replenishment and forecasting processes manually.
We spoke with the Category Manager who participated directly in the implementation of MySales Labs and shared their experience of transforming supply chain operations.
The Challenge: Managing 3,900 SKUs Without Forecasting Tools
Before implementing MySales Labs, the entire ordering process was performed manually.
A Category Manager Assistant spent an entire working day analyzing sales, calculating average demand, and creating purchase orders for thousands of products. Forecasting relied heavily on employee experience and manual calculations, making the process time-consuming and vulnerable to human error.
As the business continued to grow, these limitations became increasingly visible.
"We regularly faced forecasting mistakes, stock shortages, and difficulties preparing for seasonal demand. Manual processes simply couldn't scale together with the business."
Why Gryadka Orange Chose MySales Labs
As sales volumes and operational complexity increased, management realized that automation was necessary to support future growth.
After evaluating available solutions, Gryadka Orange selected MySales Labs primarily because of its advanced forecasting and analytical capabilities.
"The strongest advantage was the system's analytics. Accurate forecasting directly affects product availability and order quality, and that was exactly what we needed."
The Implementation Journey
The implementation was carried out gradually over approximately one year.
Instead of launching all functionality at once, the project was divided into stages by supplier groups and system modules. This approach allowed the team to carefully configure and validate each process before expanding further.
Like many digital transformation projects, the journey was not without challenges. The team needed time to understand forecast logic, adapt to new processes, and work through technical adjustments that naturally arise during large-scale implementations.
"It wasn't always easy. There were configuration changes, testing phases, and a learning curve for the team. But step by step, we began seeing the value of the system."
When Trust in Automation Appeared
One of the most important moments came when the team stopped manually adjusting system-generated orders. Instead, they allowed MySales Labs to create replenishment orders independently.
"The turning point was when we released orders without making manual corrections. Everything worked as expected, and that was when we realized the system could truly be trusted."
Results After Implementation
Following full implementation, Gryadka Orange achieved significant operational improvements:
- Reduced time spent on order generation;
- Automated routine replenishment calculations;
- Lower number of out-of-stock situations;
- Improved forecasting quality;
- More efficient use of employee time;
- Better visibility through analytics and reporting.
The Category Manager Assistant was able to shift focus from repetitive calculations to higher-value business activities.
Better Planning Through Data
Access to forecasting tools and analytics changed the way decisions are made throughout the organization.
Instead of relying primarily on intuition and historical habits, the team now uses data-driven insights to support planning and replenishment decisions.
"Today we make decisions based on analytics and forecasts rather than assumptions. Planning has become much more predictable."
Operational Benefits for the Team
The implementation also improved everyday operations.
Urgent situations caused by ordering mistakes or stock shortages became significantly less frequent. As a result, the team's workload became more balanced and less stressful.
Orders are now generated automatically, allowing employees to focus on managing the business instead of constantly correcting operational issues.
Working with MySales Labs
One of the aspects most appreciated by Gryadka Orange is the cooperation with the MySales Labs support team.
"Whenever we encounter a complex situation, the support team is available and willing to help. We especially value their readiness to implement improvements based on customer feedback."
Recommendation to Other Retailers
Looking back at the project, the team acknowledges that implementation required commitment and patience. However, the operational benefits have fully justified the effort.
"If you're managing a large assortment and still creating orders manually, our recommendation is simple: implement it. The process requires effort, but the results are worth it. The team spends less time on routine tasks, forecasting becomes more accurate, and operational problems are significantly reduced."