Hourly productivity has increased.
How GANT DACH has been managing 38 stores and 14 outlets across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with SEAK since 2012 — demand-driven, mobile-ready, and built on a single source of truth.
GANT at a Glance
GANT is a premium American lifestyle brand with its own dedicated DACH sales organization — GANT DACH GmbH, headquartered in Holzwickede, Westphalia. From there, the company manages 38 branded stores and 14 outlet locations across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Nearly 480 employees bring the brand and its values to life every day.
Team
~480 employees across DACH
Locations
38 own stores and 14 outlets across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
SEAK customer since 2012
Workforce scheduling (SEAKproHR), time and attendance management, Employee Self-Service Portal (MSP) – including tablet access in stores
Numbers, Data, Facts
own sales locations across DACH – 38 stores and 14 outlets
Employees Scheduled with SEAK Workforce Planning
plant GANT in DACH Workforce Management and Self-Service with SEAK
The Challenge
Before adopting SEAK, GANT DACH managed workforce scheduling across its retail locations using internally developed Excel tools. With 52 stores and nearly 480 employees spread across three countries, this approach had become unmanageable — and time tracking for part-time staff was still being handled on paper by design. Speckmann, IT Director of the DACH subsidiary, describes it as a search for a "smarter and more efficient way" to support his colleagues.
Five specific pain points were holding them back:
Excel and Homegrown Tools
Shift scheduling relied on manually built Excel logic at the DACH subsidiary — manageable, but time-consuming and impossible to scale.
High Effort per Planning Cycle
Every planning cycle demanded manual effort — hours that simply couldn't be distributed reliably across all 52 locations.
No truly precise planning
Accurate, demand-driven workforce scheduling was nearly impossible with their existing tools.
Paper-Heavy Time Tracking for Temporary Staff
Paper timesheets were inefficient to collect and review — creating significant downstream burden for administration.
Error-proneness
Manual data entry and paper-based invoicing created a significant risk of incorrectly recorded hours — directly impacting payroll accuracy and labor cost ratios.
Stephan Speckmann – IT Director DACH – GANT
"Before adopting SEAKproHR, scheduling across our own sites relied on custom-built Excel tools that were time-consuming and made accurate planning nearly impossible. We knew there had to be a smarter, more efficient way to work for our teams."
The Decision: How GANT Chose SEAK in 2012
The 2012 Investment Decision: Focused on Demand Alignment and Scalability
In 2012, GANT DACH GmbH selected the SEAK solution as its workforce management platform of choice. The goal was a system that could consolidate staff scheduling across all 52 stores and outlets in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland on a single, unified data foundation — bringing together revenue, staffing hours, and footfall data within one integrated plan.
The Implementation: How SEAK Is Integrated at GANT
Workforce Scheduling, Employee Self-Service Portal, and In-Store Tablet Access
With SEAKproHR, GANT DACH now manages workforce scheduling across all its own retail locations on a single, unified data platform. Store managers and responsible staff plan shifts based on historical data and targets for revenue, labor hours, and foot traffic — supported by the software's automated scheduling suggestions.
Alongside scheduling, the Employee Self-Service Portal (MSP) is fully deployed — enabling employees to submit vacation requests and log their own hours digitally, while also supporting teams such as merchandising, whose working hours are not recorded at a time-tracking terminal. A key aspect specific to GANT: the portal is accessed not only via desktop, but also through tablets used directly on the store floor.
What the software actually covers
Planning with Historical Data
Staff scheduling based on historical data and targets for revenue, labor hours, and foot traffic.
Automatic Schedule Suggestions
The software supports store managers with automated, demand-driven replenishment recommendations.
Qualifications & Features
Employee qualifications and required roles are automatically factored into every scheduling decision.
Contract & Preferences
Contractual hours and personal preferences are built into the scheduling process.
Frequency and Revenue on Track
Footfall and revenue data are combined into a single input layer — enabling demand-driven operational control.
Employee Service Portal
Employees submit leave requests, log their hours, and check balances and vacation accruals themselves — online and on mobile.
Tablet Access in Stores
The MSP runs on tablets directly on the shop floor – ideal for merchandising staff who don't have a fixed data entry terminal.
Analytics for Finance & Controlling
The combined metrics from footfall and revenue data are used by Controlling and Retail teams for budget planning.
Stephan Speckmann – IT Director DACH – GANT
"The Employee Service Portal — where staff can digitally submit vacation requests and independently log and review their hours — is also accessible on tablets in-store."
The Result: What Has Changed Since Then
Higher hourly productivity, less pressure on store managers — and a shared language across DACH
The impact is felt across four dimensions: financial performance, operational control, day-to-day relief for store managers, and internal communication.
Business Management
Controls & Analytics
Operational Relief
Internal Communications
Stephan Speckmann – IT Director DACH – GANT
"Store managers have seen a significant reduction in their workload. They now have complete visibility into staff performance and available hour budgets, enabling them to plan more independently than ever before. Since implementing the SEAK system, we have also seen a steady increase in hourly productivity."
Which building blocks GANT relies on
Stephan Speckmann – IT Director DACH – GANT
"As a long-time IT professional, I've dealt with my fair share of support hotlines over the years. SEAK stands out in the best possible way. No long wait times, no unnecessary complexity — just straightforward, efficient service. At SEAK, the lines of communication are short: development, support, and sales work closely together. If I had to sum up SEAK in one word, it would be: simplicity."
Let's talk about whether SEAK is the right fit for your business
In a 30-minute introductory call, we'll assess where your business stands today, identify which modules are the right priority for your situation, and outline a realistic implementation roadmap.
Alternatively, you're welcome to reach out via our contact form — we'll get back to you promptly. Or give us a call at: +49 40 238 348 – 000
The Trade Trusts SEAK
From fashion and food retail to building materials and specialist trade: retailers across Germany rely on SEAK to manage their workforce.
A Premium Lifestyle Brand Since 1949 – Rooted in the DACH Region, Headquartered in Holzwickede
Founded in 1949 near Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, GANT built its reputation on the iconic Oxford button-down shirt — a staple for students and faculty at America's most prestigious universities. Ever since, the brand has stood for the seamless blend of European elegance and American sportswear, rooted in the East Coast lifestyle.
The GANT collection spans premium apparel for men, women, and children, along with watches, sunglasses, and home accessories. The company's guiding principle — "Never Stop Learning" — reflects its commitment to authenticity, innovation, and passion.
In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the brand is represented by GANT DACH GmbH, headquartered in Holzwickede, Westphalia. From there, the company operates 38 retail stores and 14 outlet locations, supported by a team of nearly 480 employees who are dedicated to the brand and everything it stands for.