Latest news with #MatthewTock
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tech Tactics: Vicci Eyewear Looks to Seek AI for Online Growth and a ‘Data-Driven Culture'
Tech Tactics is Sourcing Journal's series with brands and technology companies to discuss their latest innovations. Vicci Eyewear is on a mission to boost its e-commerce business with help from a new artificial intelligence (AI) partner. More from Sourcing Journal Upstream Focus: Do-Gree Fashions Ltd.'s Matthew Tock on Tariffs, Taking Risks and Transparency Chain Reaction: NuVizz CEO Guru Rao on Surviving Disruption with Smarter Delivery Tech Walmart US Nearly Doubled Deliveries Made in Three Hours or Less Last week, the Miami-based prescription eyewear brand announced a partnership with Seek AI, a multi-agent system designed to deliver accurate, understandable and secure autonomous analytics for both data teams and non-technical users. By leveraging Seek AI's agentic tools—an advanced form of AI that operates autonomously to make decisions and take action toward specific goals—Vicci Eyewear plans to enhance its data strategy and accelerate online growth. 'Seek gave me data I could confidently put in front of investors. Instead of rough estimates, I had real metrics—average order value, return rates [and] conversion data—all backed by our own sources,' said Steven Geduld, CEO at Vicci Eyewear. 'That level of detail saved me time and added credibility. I'm excited to have Seek help Vicci drive a data-driven culture.' To achieve these results, Vicci Eyewear is leveraging Seek's suite of solutions. This includes the Dialogue Agent, which allows both data teams and non-technical users to interact with structured data through natural language queries, and the Explanation Agent, which analyzes query results and provides clear, summarized insights. By combining Seek's managed services, brands like Vicci Eyewear can unlock more advanced reasoning and problem-solving capabilities tailored to their business goals, according to the New York-based company. 'We are excited to partner with Vicci Eyewear and implement our Seek AI agentic data platform to deliver faster speed to meaningful insights,' said Sarah Nagy, CEO at Seek AI. 'In today's world, the retailer with the best data-driven edge will be best equipped to navigate toward better business outcomes, and our Seek data agents are ready to meet that need.' While this marks the first collaboration between Vicci Eyewear and Seek AI, the software company has already helped several other retailers drive measurable improvements since its founding in 2021. One recent example is Welles, a sustainable clothing brand that used Seek AI's tools to transform its e-commerce operations. Within one month, Welles saved 30 minutes per day on data-related tasks, re-engaged over 4,000 dormant customers and reduced product returns by 50 percent. 'Seek AI has been transformative for our operations,' said Rachel Rothenberg-Saenz, co-founder and CEO of Welles. 'We saw measurable results almost immediately—recovering potential sales, reducing returns and gaining actionable insights that validate our marketing and operational decisions. It's the clarity and efficiency we needed to scale smarter.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Upstream Focus: Do-Gree Fashions Ltd.'s Matthew Tock on Tariffs, Taking Risks and Transparency
Upstream Focus is Sourcing Journal's series of conversations with suppliers, associations and sourcing professionals to get their insights on the state of sourcing, innovations in manufacturing and how to improve operations. In this Q&A, Matthew Tock, vice president at Do-Gree Fashions Ltd., a Montreal-based manufacturing and sourcing company specializing in winter hats and accessories, shares why brands should be open to taking risks and how trade uncertainty is shaping his firm's production strategy. Name: Matthew TockTitle: Vice presidentCompany: Do-Gree Fashions Ltd. More from Sourcing Journal This New Platform Plays Matchmaker for Nearshore Manufacturing Xi Jinping Visits Vietnam, Says Trade Wars Yield 'No Winners' Coach Partners with Bank & Vogue to Make Upcycled Denim Bags What's the number one question you get from your clients now that was never really a consideration before? With the recent U.S. global tariff issues and uncertainties, the most common question we get is, 'How are you pivoting your current production model?' How are you evaluating potential brand and retail clients? What do you look for in a customer now, compared to a few years ago? We seek out customers—whether new or established—who are looking to grow within the headwear and accessories market. Today, we value adaptability and long-term partnership potential more than ever before. As the apparel industry tries to overcome its stock issues, how can supply chain partners improve inventory management? It's a delicate balance between forecasting based on historical data and anticipating new trends and opportunities. The days of 'buying in hopes of selling' are over; strategy and data now lead the way. Consider consumer demands and market expectations on relative purchases rather than desires. What should brands' and retailers' top lesson from last year be? How can they address this in their operations? Don't be overly conservative. Growth still requires risk, but being open to new opportunities—and ready to act on them—is key. [Companies should increase] market research and supply-base research. How are you working with your factories to support quick-turn, small-run orders? We prioritize consistent and transparent communication with our factories and set realistic expectations. To support our clients, we've started offering lower MOQs to help them remain competitive and responsive. Which new sourcing regions are you either considering or ramping up today? In response to tariffs on China, we're actively expanding production into Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan and Mexico. That said, China remains our primary source of production for now. As you're considering where to source, what are your top considerations today? U.S. tariffs, shipping lead times and production volume capabilities are the top factors influencing our sourcing decisions. Right now, all anyone can hope for is clarity and stability as regards to U.S.-China relations. As much as a brand wants to distance themselves from China, if they haven't already done that three to four years ago, the ability to pivot is not so easy. What keeps you up at night? U.S.-global relations, unpredictable tariff changes, weather patterns, economic uncertainty and overall market volatility. What makes you most optimistic? A sense of hope for change—and the resilience of our industry to keep adapting and innovating. At least for us, accessories have never really been a budgetary factor for the end consumer. Getting a new toque, pair of gloves or cap is far less impactful on consumer budgets as compared to hard goods, jackets and higher-priced items. What's in store for Do-Gree Fashions Ltd. in 2025? We're focused on maintaining strong relationships with our existing clients while investing in new markets, product opportunities and customer segments.
