FMCG Consultancy - Category / Marketing / Sales

ICYMI Mosaic Brands (owner Katies, Rivers and Millers) has gone into voluntary administration. Another example of the challenging retail environment at the moment ...

““Australians are now demanding action on supermarket competition with the same urgency as they’re calling for lower utility costs and higher wages. There’s likely to be political rewards for taking actions that increase supermarket competition.” Centre For Future Work senior researcher and report co-author Lisa Heap Interesting broad research suggesting the government inquiries, ACCC court action etc are supported by Aussie voters. Will be an interesting debate as we head towards the next Federal election ...

Interesting A-Frame outside a polling booth in QLD (early voting in state election has started) ... never though the most important greens policy would be to 'smash the supermarket duopoly' ...

'There’s a trial underway at a Whole Foods shopfront in Pennsylvania, where customers can fill physical baskets with organic groceries – and then use their phones to order extra items like soft drinks or batteries from a “micro fulfilment centre” attached to the back of the supermarket.' From the artilce Interesting omni-channel offer being developed by Amazon. This model replaces the need for the difficult 'last mile' delivery from store / MFC / CFC to the shoppers home / office. Based on shopper insights I suggest shoppers prefer to choose fresh in-store (see, smell, touch product). For other standardised products (e.g. toilet rolls) they can order online and pick up in-store from MFC attached to store. This creates a simple, convenient shopping experience that meets shopper demands ... great to see Amazon continue to innovate in their supermarket business model.

“With Aldi Holidays we’re bringing our Special Buys to the skies, offering savvy travellers premium holiday options.” Rodney Balech, Group Director, Aldi Australia Interesting move by Aldi. Globally many supermarkets offer services, e.g. financial services such as banking. Now Aldi Australia is offering holidays ... hopefully they launch 'Aldi Air' so Australia can have a third major airline vs QANTAS and Virgin. https://buff.ly/3Y4qftw

'The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will get an extra $30m to help it further probe the conduct of supermarkets after the regulator announced last week it was suing Woolworths and Coles for allegedly misleading customers on discounts.' From the article Interesting move by the government. It would appear the current court case, inquiry etc are not enough so funding has been increased for much action ...

'Provocative billboards asking why “makers are squeezed more than the grapes” will placed outside Dan Murphy's and other bottle shops from Monday as part of the campaign by Naked Wines.' From the article Interesting example of guerrilla marketing from the team at Naked Wines. With many groups, from individual shoppers to the federal government, in Australia (and overseas) questioning retailers' ESG credentials Naked Wines will campaign on their ethical approach / support of suppliers (winemakers). Will be interesting to see how shoppers react to this values based marketing campaign. Will they support Naked Wines values or be cynical and view it as another PR campaign?

'More than 104 visits conducted at supermarkets across the country by CHOICE mystery shoppers revealed the same basket of groceries cost $50.79 at Aldi, $66.22 at Coles (or $69.91 without specials), $68.70 at Woolworths (or $68.37 without specials), and $78.95 at IGA.' From the article In a big week for supermarkets (draft food and grocery code released, ACCC high court case launched) the government commissioned report into supermarket prices suggests Aldi is the cheapest. I think most shoppers already know this. With numerous political polls highlighting voter angst over COL (cost of living) pressures I'm not sure how this survey will actually lower prices ...

'Pure Profile research suggests Australian consumers are growing more conscious of “country of ownership”, with 73 per cent of respondents saying ownership information should be included on all food labels.' From the article Interesting article highlights shopper demands for more transparency about business ownership. Considering recent news, e.g. QLD government giving a supply contract to multi-nationals and not Maleny Dairies could be a great idea ...