DE4CC0DE-5FC3-4494-BCBF-4D50B00366B5

Suppliers Need To 'Think More Like Retailers', Study Suggests

By Steve Wynne-Jones
Share this article
Suppliers Need To 'Think More Like Retailers', Study Suggests

A new study has suggested that FMCG suppliers need to adopt a new strategy to develop new, mutually beneficial relationships with retailers in a rapidly changing industry.

The study, Are You Match Fit To Win With Retailers?, developed by Bridgethorne, outlines how FMCG suppliers need to build capability that allows them to put their own distinctive stamp on how their business addresses retailers' requirements.

“FMCG suppliers are struggling for growth and profitability,” said Paul Weiss, director of capability development at the Bridgethorne Training Academy.

“Against this background, they need to start thinking more like a retailer. This is more than just understanding the retailer’s business, but also being able to interpret it and come out with differentiated solutions,” Weiss added.

Self-Assessment

Weiss believes that suppliers need to “honestly assess and address” whether they have the capabilities in place to forge new relationships with retailers, and, if so, “whether those skills have been properly embedded and leveraged within the business”.

ADVERTISEMENT

Suppliers that succeed, the paper argues, will be those that have a well-resourced, multifunctional team of the right calibre, much like the teams heading off to next month's World Cup in Russia.

“The most successful teams at this summer’s World Cup will be those who not only trust in the individual brilliance of their players, but have them playing within a strategic plan and with supporting tactics,” Weiss explained.

© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.

Get the week's top grocery retail news

The most important stories from European grocery retail direct to your inbox every Thursday

Processing your request...

Thanks! please check your email to confirm your subscription.

By signing up you are agreeing to our terms & conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.