The Bear Bakery, known for its artisanal approach to baking with a specialisation in slow-fermented sourdough, faced several growing pains. Their operations were tightly structured due to the time-sensitive nature of their products. Sourdough fermentation alone takes three days, and managing production cut-offs for flour weighing and ferment preparation demanded precision.
Despite their commitment to quality, the bakery was struggling to adapt their existing system to manage both retail and wholesale demand. Retail pre-orders for their busiest day—Saturday—needed better inventory control to prevent waste. Meanwhile, orders placed through Squarespace were limited to one day a week, stifling growth opportunities. Wholesale clients required a more streamlined system, but manual processes using spreadsheets and emails often led to errors. The Bear Bakery needed a solution that offered flexibility, inventory management, and operational efficiency.
Nicole, who manages operations at The Bear Bakery, had experience with various systems but struggled to find one that could meet their complex needs—until Slerp.
The Bear Bakery found the transition to Slerp straightforward. They introduced the new ordering system to customers through Instagram posts, emails, and an instructional video shared across their social media channels. Retail customers appreciated the convenience of ordering for multiple days, not just Saturday.
For wholesale customers, the bakery took a phased approach, starting with packing slips and structured cut-offs. Standing orders became easier to manage, and Slerp’s online system significantly reduced the errors associated with email-based orders. Wholesale clients now benefit from a simplified process using custom discounts and online ordering—something that was impossible under their previous system.
Thanks to Slerp, The Bear Bakery has gained control over their production and inventory processes, positioning them for further growth. Their improved ordering system supports both retail and wholesale operations, ensuring that customers and staff alike benefit from a more organized and flexible structure.
Is your bakery or restaurant facing similar challenges? Whether you’re dealing with waste, limited pre-order options, or manual ordering bottlenecks, Slerp can help.