Elsevier Food International
Volume 10, No.1 February 2007
Market Vision
UK retailer Waitrose’s managing director Steven Esom has been a buyer for most of his professional life. Buying at Waitrose is something different from the supplier-squeezing power play other retailers are often associated with. Having invested in a sound reputation as a quality food retailer for decades, Waitrose can afford to prioritise quality over price. But only with suppliers who need to earn the retailers’ trust.
Higher prices, highest quality
EFI Special
How to escape serious competition which strikes at the roots of a company’s business? What are the fundamental questions on serious competition, touching the root cause of headaches in many company’s boardrooms? The EFI Special looks at this from both a retailer’s as a supplier’s perspective.
Surviving serious competition - Manufacturer's perspective
Surviving serious competition - Retailer's perspective
ECR
Looks are not everything when it comes to packaging. Increasingly, governments, consumers, retailers and manufacturers are looking for packaging that is sustainable, environmentally correct and retail ready.
ECR
The concept of collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment has been promoted as a cure for what ails the food industry’s supply chain. However, success has been spotty and the question is whether retailers and manufacturers really want to develop this deep a relationship.
Food Marketing
Europe is the world’s leading region when it comes to private label development. Due to their ability to latch on to trends and developments in society, retailers and suppliers in Europe are succeeding in developing private label ranges that create consumer enthusiasm, and optimise the retailer’s return on sales.
Private labels: Why is Europe leading the pack?
Country Profile
Since the economic crisis of 1997/98, the Thai economy has been recovering despite a global economic downturn in the first years of the current decade. Like in other emerging markets in Southeast Asia and worldwide, modern retail infrastructure in Thailand is developing to the detriment of traditional channels of food and grocery distribution. However, representatives of traditional structures call for government intervention, especially to curb foreign retailers’ expansion.
Thailand after the coup: Struggle between modern and traditional
R&D
Agribusiness concentration has revolutionised agricultural practices, rendering an abundant low cost food supply of constant quality for western consumers. The menu of food choices has never been greater in history. However, critics argue that profit margins in the sector come at expense of the environment, social farming structures and consumer’s choice. Time for a more sustainable approach to agribusiness?
It’s green time for agribusiness
Financial
Banking and financial services would seem to be a natural extension for retailers and some have enjoyed considerable success. However, others are still wrestling with issues like return on investment and the need to differentiate themselves from traditional banking sources.
Retail Profile
In 1997, SHV Holding – parent of Makro cash & carry – took a drastic decision by selling its European business and focusing on two regions: Asia and South America. Emerging markets but very different regions, which therefore needed to be managed separately. In recent years, however, SHV has been exploring opportunities to create synergies in an effort to realise the long awaited improvement of the business.
Different markets, drastic measures
Instore
Weighing equipment is becoming increasingly intelligent. In self-service areas, advanced scales with a built-in camera enhance convenience when weighing and printing price labels for fruit and vegetables. In the service area, PC-based scales integrate weighing activities to the store inventory system, whilst providing employees with product and marketing information to boost sales.
Scaling up the s(c)ales potential
Fresh Foods
In 2006, a total of 74,687,100 tonnes of poultry, including all fresh, uncooked and unprocessed chicken, duck, goose, turkey and guinea fowl, were consumed across the globe, according to the latest research findings from Euromonitor International.
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