Defra is doing the right thing wrong on EPR
If you have not yet written to government on EPR packaging tax, now is the time. Following the August estimates backlash, Defra published revisions this week. Whilst bringing down the levels a tad, this review changes nothing. The government needs to rethink the process, especially the timing, urgently –or accept this will immediately drive inflation. It is vital […]
International buying groups are a threat to UK grocery values
Fmcg leaders across mainland Europe have long had to work with international buying groups (IBGs). They’ve had wrestle to generate commercial benefits from the tough annual agreements demanded by entities like Epic, AgeCore, Coopernic, AMS, and EMD. Since these groups first emerged back in the mid-1990s, they have typically extracted between 200 and 600 basis […]
CMA should investigate Aldi Price Match rather than loyalty
Loyalty cards work. They are here to stay, and their sophistication can only be good news for shoppers.
Tesco has predicted retail media will be bigger than TV advertising by the end of 2025. How can brands make the most of the ‘triple win’ it offers?
Retail media is huge. Some 46 metres across and 10 metres high, in the case of PepsiCo and Tesco’s ‘wrap’ at the supermarket’s Wembley Extra store in the run-up to the Champions League final earlier this month. But the true value of the retail media market towers even higher. Spend globally is poised to grow a […]
Suppliers can and should negotiate Sainsbury’s fees
Data is something retailers have been attempting to charge for, or even just keep a secret, forever. I do respect the pushback because now is the time to get a mass objection from suppliers.
Great progress on the Grocery Code of Conduct for Canada
Loblaw’s announcement of support last week marks a turning point for the Code of Conduct in Canada. Working over the past year with the forward-thinking Canadian suppliers to prepare for winning in a Code environment, I’ve witnessed open concern around Loblaw & Walmart’s lack of support.
Discounters keep the market honest and ensure shopper trust
As an advocate of brands and innovation, I never thought I’d be representing the view that we are fortunate to have the discounters here in the UK. But they do play an important role in policing the industry.
Tarry’s work at Tesco shows the power of supplier collaboration
Under Jason Tarry, supplier dialogue with Tesco buyers became more strategic – investment followed and honourable commitments replaced settlement wrangling, says David Sables, CEO of Sentinel Management Consultants
Morrisons must sell suppliers a clear turnaround vision
We all have a soft spot for Morrisons. It’s been hard to watch the catastrophic share decline of this former big four bastion. It’s now set to become the sixth-largest supermarket, behind Aldi and Lidl, later this year. Sir Ken Morrison is remembered by employees for his ‘retail is detail’ mantra and driving high in-store standards. The same is now […]
Suppliers: survive the recession by mastering three trends
Don’t allow the pessimism around a new ‘recession’ to drag you into defensive mode. There are many opportunities, and those presented by three trends in particular will make you future fit, or set you on a tragic trajectory, depending on how you embrace them.
