Richard Loh, Founder and CEO of Eurostop, has a personal motto: “The higher you reach the closer you get to achieving your goals”.
It is a maxim that inspired the software entrepreneur to build a global retail systems company with customers and offices in some of the most challenging and emerging markets.
Growing up in Malaysia and from a young age, Richard had dreams of becoming an entrepreneur – his incentive was to turn his 10 cents daily allowance into 50 cents, so that he could afford his daily lunch. This motivated Richard to open his first ‘office’, working after school from his home where he sold kites and ice cream, creating his first profitable turnover. At the age of 18, he managed to convince Bata Shoes to let him compete for their Graduate Trainee Programme. There he passed a week of rigorous exams and began as a trainee executive. Richard worked hard and progressed through the ranks from trainee executive to store manager, area manager and finally to head office as a merchandiser. He believes this retail training gave him the discipline needed later in life to successfully develop and build his own business.
In 1970, Richard left Malacca, his city of birth to chase his dreams and he headed west for the UK. His first job was at K Shoes as a sales assistant. Twelve months later, he moved to Lady at Lord John as a cashier. Within three years his skills were recognised and he celebrated being appointed Merchandise Director of Lady at Lord John.
When Lord John was subject to a takeover, Richard’s career took a new direction. He appreciated the growing potential of IT systems, and took the decision to join Honeywell Bull (who at the time were the fifth largest computer company in the world) as a retail consultant. Here, he established and built on relationships with colleagues that were to later join him at building Eurostop into the company you see today. Richard also worked with many of the Tier 1 clothing and footwear retail companies in the UK gaining important knowledge and experience which was to prove invaluable for what was to be ahead.
From shoe seller to software entrepreneur
Eurostop was born in 1990. Richard knew now was the time to use his retail experience and set up his own company developing a stock control system for the fashion and footwear industry. Starting with just himself and 2 developers, Richard was determined in his belief that he could design a better system than anything available on the market.
With no proven track record his first multi-store customer was won with just a promise and a handshake. Twenty five years later, Eurostop’s internationally renowned EPOS software is used in more than 30,000 fashion, footwear and general merchandise stores across the world. Offices in London, Singapore, and China have been established to service the growing demands for the Eurostop systems.
High profile customers include Ann Summers, Anta Sportswear, Aquascutum, Ben Sherman, Charles & Keith, Joseph, Speedo, Trespass, The Face Shop, Vertu, Help for Heroes and Marks and Spencer Franchise.
With the blistering pace of technological advancements, Richard continues to keep Eurostop at the forefront of the market with his drive and enthusiasm. His integrated suite of software is constantly developing, with focus today on mobile technology and omni channel.
Richard is actively involved in leading the firm’s expanding operation in China where Eurostop’s largest customer, the sports brand Anta Sportswear, has more than 12,000 retail stores.
From gaining the trust of potential clients to running an established international business Richard has achieved many of his goals. He now goes out of his way to give others opportunities and help them fulfill their potential.
