Brauz

Brauz operates as an omnichannel experience platform, strategically positioned to bridge the gap between digital and physical retail environments. Established in 2013 by Lee Hardham, the Melbourne-based company aims to convert online browsers into in-store buyers by enhancing the customer journey. Hardham, the CEO, brings over two decades of sales and management experience, including roles at News Corp, which provided him with a strong foundation in business development and account management. He is joined by Co-Founder and CTO Rajesh Yeluri, who contributes 20 years of experience in systems architecture, data, and security from his time at companies like Deloitte and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The company's core business revolves around providing a suite of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions to retailers, particularly targeting the middle market—those with a few to nearly one hundred physical stores. Brauz's platform is designed for rapid integration, allowing retailers to implement its services quickly and cost-effectively, with annual offerings starting from around $5,000. Revenue is generated through this SaaS model, based on the number of users and monthly usage. The business model has proven effective, evidenced by a 98% customer retention rate over the last three years and a 300% growth in its customer base in the 18 months leading up to May 2024.

Brauz offers a comprehensive range of services that create a seamless connection between online and in-store shopping. These include 'Find in Store', 'Reserve in Store', 'Click and Collect', and on-demand delivery with Uber. The platform also facilitates in-store and video appointments, customer queuing, and clienteling tools for personalized messaging and customer insights. Retailers can manage these functions through the Brauz Command dashboard, which also provides analytics and reporting to attribute sales conversions across channels. The in-store experience for staff is managed via the Brauz iQ app, an order management system that handles reservations, orders, and customer communication. The platform's effectiveness is demonstrated by significant uplifts in client metrics, such as a 150-300% increase in Click & Collect performance and average order values five times higher than standard sales for some clients.

Keywords: omnichannel retail, SaaS, customer engagement, retail technology, in-store experience, click and collect, inventory management, clienteling, e-commerce integration, retail analytics