FMCG BLOGS

After celebrating South African Heritage Day, take a moment to think fondly of those iconic brands that contribute to our heritage and who we are; we are unique in this world and proudly South African. read more

Launching a brand through consumer trial and sampling is critical to its success within the first year, yet many FMCG companies do not have a clear understanding of consumer trial barriers and drivers. read more

Many FMCG companies have failed to reach the township shopper effectively due to the assumption that the same rules apply in townships as they do with traditional urban shopping.  read more

Africa has become the next springboard for FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) companies due to strong African GDP growth, an increasingly urban and growing middle class, and a strong consumption drive in the African economy.  read more

When it comes to expansion into Africa, FMCG companies must do a strategic assessment of ‘Where to Play’ - which country, region and city to go into - and a solid ‘How to Win’ approach of selecting the winning route-to-market.  read more

In a world where shopper and consumer behaviour is proving to be very difficult to predict, it is becoming increasingly difficult to market effectively and more efficiently to consumers.  read more

I recently presented at the Liquor Path to Purchase Conference and caught the end of Gareth Pearson’s presentation where he stated that with the proliferation of private label, there’s probably a good chance that second and/or third ranked category brands will lose their listings. This was the second time in as many weeks that I was exposed to this thinking. As someone who built his FMCG career mainly servicing the second and third tier, it caused me great concern. read more

Five of the top eight FMCG manufacturers globally are retailers. This is according to Greg Thain and John Bradley who’ve just launched Store Wars: The Worldwide Battle for Mindspace and Shelfspace, Online and In-store. read more

“If you’re giving something away you have nothing to say”, is the first thing I used to fire back at the marketing teams. There was this incessant desire to find something to say and attract consumers (rather than shoppers) usually through discounted price and/or a convoluted competition. Often this is at the expense of previously successful mechanics and to the detriment of increased return on investment (ROI). read more

Packaging is the most important media in fast moving consumer goods. Yet, in most cases it doesn’t garner the attention, investment and resource it deserves. This is the hardest working vehicle at grocer retail – 365/24/7 and often the shopper’s first interaction with a product. read more

Gondola Ends, End Caps, end-of-aisle displays. Whatever you call them. Treasure, appreciate, respect, dress and love them. They don’t come around as often as you’d like, so give them a big hug and don’t let them go. read more

FMCG brands need to give more attention to their consumer care strategies as regulatory frameworks and consumer demands dictate the accuracy and speed at which they respond to grievances and complaints. read more

Very often an FMCG supplier’s biggest challenge has little to do with the manufacture and delivery of goods. The delay between making a delivery and receiving payment for it is responsible for a great deal of anguish. read more

I have always viewed Hypermarkets predominantly as a bulk shop (once a month) destination that usually has the widest selection of groceries and you could save a few extra rands versus shopping at your local supermarket. So why do Hypers in South Africa today offer the same products at the same prices as supermarkets especially when it comes to food? read more

Many might think that they're pretty savvy in ordering large quantities of temporary Point of Sale Material (POSM) and driving unit costs down and ultimately saving. I have a different take on this. If you are centred mostly on saving on unit costs through bulk purchasing you're probably costing your company and brand, huge opportunities. read more

Woolworths have recognised a need to service its growing customer base by providing a more comprehensive shopping experience. Until now most shoppers have used its stores as an auxiliary format to purchase only certain items on their shopping list or as a "top up" type daily purchase of convenience items. The group has performed well on this basis but have found themselves vulnerable when trading conditions have tightened. Already we have seen pricing strategies change with more products becoming falling into line with competitive supermarkets, a premium shopping experience without the associated cost is certainly a comfortable proposition for consumers. read more

The terms of purchase are integral to a retailer’s supply chain and the more simplified this process is, the easier it is for retailers to maintain tighter margins and optimise profits. The role of a retailer buyer is essential in making this work.  read more

Private labels are taking on a new role in retail, positioning themselves as higher quality products on supermarket shelves, rather than the “low quality’ option they were initially perceived to be.  read more

Whether launching a new FMCG brand or rejuvenating an existing one, in-store promotion is essential for grabbing a consumer’s interest, ahead of the clutter and many other brands in-store, all competing for the same attention. read more

Retailers play an essential role in the recycling chain. They are the last exit point for food packaging and should be the first point of entry for re-useable waste. read more

Agriculture is one of South Africa’s most important industries and accounts for a large percentage of our GDP. It’s already a large employer, has potential to create more jobs and is a major driver of investment. But, reports suggesting that thousands of commercial farmers could give up their land are distressing, especially when considering that agriculture is essential to our food security.  read more

To what extent should packaging design be 'on-trend'? Other areas of design, such as fashion, interior and industrial design are known for their cutting edge adherence to new trends and directions. As designers, it is our responsibility to guide clients on the best way to keep products relevant and future-focused, while still creating work that is still solid and timeless in its execution. While nothing lasts forever, it's important to note that due to the costs involved with large-scale printing and packing, designers and brand managers need to ensure that they remain true to their product intrinsics and avoid following trends that may disappear after one or two seasons. read more

Regulations set by the Consumer Protection Act have businesses in the food industry scrambling to ensure that their product packaging meets all the necessary requirements before the deadline in March 2012. An off-set to this is that consumers will become more aware of what food products contain and how they are sourced. One retailer and a few food producers are taking it a step further to ensure that their offerings come from sustainable supply chain, keeping their offerings in the best interests of the consumer and those involved in producing it.  read more

Local food manufacturers will soon be challenged by two international FMCG players, namely Diplomat and Iffco. Iffco is a food manufacturer and distributor based in Dubai and has a presence in more than 85 countries. Diplomat is one of Israel’s largest FMCG distributors and has made its way into South Africa under an agreement with Proctor and Gamble (P&G). Both contenders have great financial and international influence and timed their entry well with the arrival of Walmart. Read more Two major newcomers plan to spice up SA's FMCG food market  read more

This is an update on peanut and tree nuts in the food manufacturing facility. This information has been compiled by FACTS. FACTS provide food allergy consulting and testing services.  read more

Sustainability is no longer a project undertaken by a small team within a company, it has become an integral part of doing good business. The results are measurable and executives are held to account, not just by shareholders or regulators but also by consumers. Sustainability is not just about minimizing the negative impact of a business but also about actively striving to make a positive impact on the environment and on the lives of those associated with the company.  read more

With the Walmart / Massmart deal in the final throws of approval, it is only a matter of time before the South African retail landscape changes significantly. The giant’s entry will have implications for all South African retailers, it’s not just the grocery specialists who will find themselves under fire. read more