With Britain facing its sharpest economic downturn in 30 years, the National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling on the country’s largest retailers to take the lead in a new approach to corporate social responsibility, which would see fair pricing for both customers and suppliers put at the heart of their retail policy. The plea comes after accusations of major supermarkets becoming more aggressive in their demands of suppliers. Mr Kendall will make the call for greater responsibility in a speech... ...Read more »

The UK’s leading food and consumer goods companies reported last week that an initiative to reduce the environmental impact of transporting food and groceries has removed the equivalent of 53 million journey miles from UK roads. Over the course of the last year, many household brands have been working together through IGD’s Efficient Consumer Response (ECR UK) initiative on the Sustainable Distribution project. ECR UK announced that, through measures such as sharing vehicles and more... ...Read more »

Australian independent supermarket operator Foodworks has outlined a new strategy to enhance and manage distribution of their private label offering - with the help of a logistical partnership with CEVA Logistics. The logistics group will be in charge of the supply chain and warehousing of the FoodWorks’ own house brand products, as FoodWorks embarks on a plan to improve their private label range. Foodworks, which operates over 700 supermarkets, is currently involved in a long-term supply agreement... ...Read more »

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the world’s largest retailer, has joined the growing list of retailers pledging to lower their plastic bag use. The US-based company has committed to reducing its global plastic shopping bag waste by an average of 33 per cent per store by 2013. This is expected to eliminate more than 135 million pounds of plastic waste globally. To reach this goal, Wal-Mart will reduce the number of bags given out by its stores, encourage the use of reusable bags and give customers the... ...Read more »

UK supermarkets Waitrose and Booths have announced plans to join forces on a new buying alliance in order to reduce costs and improve their ability to compete with the major retailers. Booths currently has 26 supermarkets located in the north of England and Waitrose 192 throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The deal between the two companies is designed to take advantage of the “synergies between the two brands” and will involve sharing cost prices and deal structures for branded food... ...Read more »

Industrial action proposed by Tip Top truck vendors could have an extensive impact on Brisbane’s bread supply if it goes ahead. The Transport Workers Union of Australia (TWU) is due to discuss the possibility of a strike at a meeting this afternoon, with truck drivers increasingly worried about the impact of rising cost pressures on their incomes. About eighty drivers are likely to attend the meeting - mainly suppliers of supermarket chains Aldi, Woolworths and Coles. “Without an adequate... ...Read more »

A $30 million state-of-the-art warehouse and commercial office building was officially opened at Brisbane Markets today, and will enable unprecedented levels of supply chain efficiency - according to Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin.”The growth of Queensland’s horticulture sector increased the need for a larger, more efficient storage facility located in the Brisbane Markets complex,” Mr Mulherin said. “This new development will support the entire Queensland... ...Read more »

A 60,000 m2, $106 million distribution centre is set to improve the efficiency of the Tasmanian grocery sector. The project has been proposed by Statewide Independent Wholesalers, a partnership between Tasmanian Independent Retailers and Woolworths. The facility will supply the 28 Woolworths stores in the state as well as 208 independent grocers. It will replace Woolworths’ Hobart and Devonport centres and SIW’s two Launceston facilities at Prospect and Breadalbane. Michael Kent, Chairman... ...Read more »

Seventy-seven per cent of US-based retailers indicate that in 2008, they expect their use of direct store delivery processes (DSD) will increase or remain constant, representing a significant opportunity to drive sales growth, according to a study released by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). DSD, which revolves around the supplier delivering directly to the retailer, has reportedly become increasingly prevalent as focus on more demand-driven supply chains is heightened. The research,... ...Read more »

Dairy farmers must be ready to take on the retailers if the latest round of supermarket milk price cuts threatens to damage farmgate prices, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) dairy board chairman has advised. The price ward between the major supermarkets has come at a time when discount supermarkets have been gaining popularity due to the credit crunch. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda have been at the forefront of the battle, with offers such as sausages for 8p each and the promotion of a... ...Read more »