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 […]
With deals on the rise, how are bulk buying and discounters reshaping the medicines aisle? And where does that leave brands?
From shopping in charity shops to embracing DIY, Brits increasingly love a bargain. And in today’s cost-conscious climate, the hunt for a deal is extending into more unusual areas – like the medicines aisle. Sales of winter remedies on promotion have risen by 61.6% over the past year [Kantar 52 w/e 9 June 2024] – […]
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 […]
Labour’s National Food Strategy aim is laudable, but will drive inflation
When I next sit down to write this column, we will know the outcome of the general election. If the polls are correct, we will be bracing ourselves for an industry arse-kicking under Labour. We may then be implementing the National Food Strategy as Labour’s off-the-peg route to a healthier, more sustainable food system. While I’m 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.
Retail media will be ‘bigger than TV’ by 2025 says Tesco
Tesco has urged its suppliers to invest in a massive upscaling of its retail media network, claiming that digital growth will see the medium become bigger than television by the end of 2025.
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
