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Sure Retail Scans Out Mistakes and Stacks Up Efficiency with Sicon

Sure Retail Equipment wanted to modernise their manual warehouse processes and boost efficiency. By partnering with Thinc and implementing Sicon’s digital solutions, they unlocked powerful results—cutting costs, saving time and driving profitability.

“Sicon’s Barcoding & Warehousing module for Sage 200 has taken this customer to the next level of warehouse efficiency and digitalisation. Testament to the product’s value is that this customer doesn’t even use barcodes! All is done on the handhelds with order and item selection” – Gary McKnight, Head of Commercial for Sage at Thinc.

Sure Retail Equipment provides technology, display and retail solutions to some of the UK’s biggest retailers. The paint in a Dulux Decorator Centre, the groceries in a Co-op, the pet treats at Jollyes – they all come to your basket from a Sure shelf.

What needed to change?

Sure Retail Equipment, known for its broad range of own-brand and imported products with rapid 24-hour delivery, initially relied on manual warehouse processes. Daily printed packing lists guided stock picking, but as global competition intensified, the team recognised the urgent need for a more efficient, modernised approach to stay ahead.

That’s where Thinc came in. With over 30 years of experience across leading platforms, Thinc prides itself on delivering independent, impartial advice. They offer cutting-edge financial software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, managed IT support, cyber security, and cloud management solutions – empowering businesses to unlock their full potential.

The Solution

Faced with the need to modernise its warehouse operations, Sure Retail Equipment partnered with Thinc to digitise and automate its stock management processes. Thinc introduced Sure to two powerful Sicon modules – Barcoding & Warehousing and Works Order Processing – and supported the transition with hands-on training for staff, ensuring a smooth shift from manual workflows to a fully digital solution.

The impact was immediate and impressive:

• Accurate Stock Picking & Time Savings: Enhanced location visibility now allows staff to find items in seconds – tasks that previously took hours.
• Detailed Packing Lists: Sicon Barcoding & Warehousing enables Sure to generate pallet-specific packing lists, giving customers unmatched clarity and speeding up on-site installations.
• Flexible Pricing & Order Processing: Sicon Works Order Processing simplifies component pricing and order handling, boosting both efficiency and profitability.

Thanks to Thinc’s guidance and Sicon’s technology, Sure has transformed its warehouse into a lean, responsive operation – ready to meet customer demands faster and smarter than ever.

“The biggest decisions can’t always be made over email – sometimes they need to be discussed, and Thinc are always happy to work with us in this way.” – Gordon McConnell, Operations Manager at Sure Retail Equipment