OKÉANYS: The mission link between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail

At a time when digital channels increasingly shape product discovery, the act of purchasing remains largely anchored in physical stores. According to Samsung’s fourth Smart Retail Barometer, 75% of consumers still favour in-store shopping—provided they can be confident that the product they are looking for is actually available. 

This need for reassurance, now central to the customer journey, has become one of the major challenges facing today’s retail sector. It is precisely this issue that OkéanYs addresses, offering a pragmatic solution by reconnecting brands’ digital presence with the reality of brick-and-mortar retail.

The solution enables brands to harness the power of their e-commerce websites to enhance the value of their distribution networks, drive sell-out and build a more balanced partnership with their distributors, within a logic of continuity between online and offline channels. Deployed by a founding team bringing together Bruno Quarta, Catherine Turcaud and a third associate with a solid professional background, OkéanYs is built on a vision in which digital does not replace the store, but rather restores its central role. By directing online visitors to the most relevant point of sale through real-time availability information, the solution streamlines the purchasing journey, reduces online abandonment and converts digital intent into in-store sales, benefiting both brands and their retail networks.

The solution responds to a strong consumer expectation: access to reliable information not only about where to find a brand, but where to find the specific product sought, with the assurance that it is actually available on the shelf. Until now, brands have mainly relied on basic “store locators” limited to listing points of sale, without any guarantee of product availability. This promise has often proved frustrating for end customers, who encounter out-of-stock situations in-store despite a clear intention to purchase. By leveraging logistics and delivery data, OkéanYs has developed algorithms capable of indicating directly on brands’ websites where a product is effectively available. The information is displayed through an intuitive semaphore-style system that signals confirmed availability, availability to be checked with the store, or product unavailability. This immediate readability secures the purchasing journey, builds trust and significantly improves the customer experience.

A driver of sell-out and store traffic

For brands, the “Product Locator” has established itself as a direct driver of revenue growth. It improves overall website conversion rates, turns abandoned carts into in-store purchases and generates qualified footfall, while strengthening product visibility at local level. The e-commerce site or e-catalogue thus becomes a true local entry point, fully serving the retail network. At the same time, Business Intelligence modules provide brands with detailed insights into purchasing journeys, product searches and the most dynamic geographic areas. These data make it possible to optimise campaigns, manage sales teams and anticipate market needs. By enabling online sales and in-store availability to coexist, OkéanYs profoundly transforms the relationship between brands and distributors. Brands evolve towards the role of active marketing partners, generating traffic and value. This dynamic fosters fairer local competition within a controlled framework, where economic rules, pricing policies and in-store constraints are respected. Brands such as Cristel, Cookut, Nogent*** and Élhée have already adopted the solution with a high level of satisfaction, reporting increased sell-out and more constructive relationships with their distribution networks.

Hands-on support in the field

From a technical standpoint, the OkéanYs “Product Locator” is delivered as an easy-to-integrate widget requiring only a limited implementation timeframe. The main step involves structuring store and product lists—a task that can be demanding for brands, but one that proves highly beneficial over the long term. Beyond the tool itself, OkéanYs supports marketing and sales teams in adopting the solution through training initiatives, the development of new sales arguments and the activation of digital levers. Technology serves as the starting point, while value is created through use, understanding and adoption by all teams.

Connecting retailers: a powerful performance lever

By connecting their management systems, retailers who choose to do so—including small independent stores—benefit from automatic stock updates, with no manual input or additional operational burden. This connection enables the delivery of even more reliable availability information, enriched beyond the logistical data provided by brands alone. Retailers gain visibility, attract additional traffic and boost in-store footfall. Several networks and retail brands, including Fabrique de Styles, Hémisphère Sud, TOC and Couteaux du Chef, are already seeing a direct impact, with new customers driven by the activation of the solution. Store connectivity is based on a simple and secure principle. As soon as a point of sale is computerised, its availability data can be transmitted automatically on a daily basis. Only the information strictly necessary for the operation of the Product Locator is exchanged. OkéanYsacts as a trusted third party. Based exclusively on availability indicators, the solution operates without cookies, without GAFAM technologies, without data resale and without competing advertising. Fully GDPR-compliant, it guarantees a secure environment for all stakeholders.

A multichannel digital marketing tool

Designed as a multichannel building block, the “Product Locator” integrates seamlessly across all communication channels, including social media campaigns. Already deployed with Stabilo, the solution allows consumers, via a digital advertisement, to be directed to a mini-site offering a choice between in-store availability, online purchase, product information and inspirational content.

Initially strongly established in the tableware, home décor and games sectors, OkéanYs is gradually expanding into new industries, including cosmetics, fashion, and wines and spirits. Accessible worldwide through a multilingual interface, the solution also supports brands in their international development by enhancing local retail networks rather than bypassing them.

Source: Home Fashion News January26