FMCG and Grocery Retailing has long been considered a dynamic sector and it is true that we have always been reasonably “busy” in the way we work. This “busy-ness” has escalated dramatically in the last ten years, with the key driver being technology. We become aware almost instantaneously of industry developments. Most of us are […]

I have talked in recent articles about two of the critical success factors for FMCG innovation – ambitious product design and a genuine, compelling category rationale.  So what is the final success factor?  Sustained launch support.  Even if you have a brilliant product, and the Retailers are onside, your chance of success will be much […]

Last month I wrote about the requirements from new grocery products if they are to succeed with today’s consumer. First amongst these, is to set the bar high. Your new product needs to be considered by many consumers better than all the alternatives in your price bracket. Good isn’t enough – you need a really […]

Many branded and own label companies report that in recent years they are finding it harder to land innovation successfully in UK Retail. Range resets (fewer lines, higher sales per line) mean the bar is set higher for rate of sale of a new product. Fewer buyers stretched more scarcely over more categories, tend to […]

As an industry, we like to talk and think about the next big thing.  The new product, the new retail format, the disruptive market entrant.  The temptation becomes even greater at the time of year for resolutions.  But the best way to a successful 2018 is to focus on the same big things.   The things that have […]

It’s no secret that Asda have suffered from difficult sales performance in recent years – though recently results have improved. Those of us of a certain age, though, remember the Asda of ten to fifteen years ago, delivering stellar sales performance, and creating pressure on the rest of the market, not unlike the pressure that […]