Richard Sowter

🚀 Ready to Grow Your Team in 2024/5? So Is the Packaging and FMCG Industry! 🚀 According to CIPD, 37% of UK companies are ramping up recruitment, and the packaging and FMCG sectors are no exception! If you're thinking about expanding your team to keep up with demand, now’s the time to make your move. 📈 44% of companies say the hiring market is fiercely competitive 🔍 41% report difficulty in finding skilled candidates for specialised roles 🌟 Over 30% are focused on strengthening their employer brand to attract top talent (LinkedIn's Global Talent Trends Report 2023) Why act now? The packaging and FMCG sectors are evolving quickly, sustainable packaging, rapid NPD cycles, and consumer-driven innovation are all driving demand for specialised talent. Companies that offer growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a strong culture will attract the best in the field. By investing in your talent pipeline now, you’re not just filling roles; you’re setting up your team for success in a high-growth industry! Get in touch with Artemis Talent Solutions to discuss how we can support with strategic commercial and technical hires. 2025 is the year to build the team that drives your business forward! 🌟 #FMCG #PackagingIndustry#Hiring #TalentStrategy #HiringTrends #Recruitment#TalentAcquisition #WorkplaceGrowth #Packaging Artemis Talent Solutions

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Morrisons Snaps Up 38 C-Stores In The Channel Islands Morrisons has expanded its convenience estate with the acquisition of 38 stores in the Channel Islands from SandpiperCI. All of the stores are currently supplied by Morrisons and 19 already operate under its Daily fascia. The transaction includes six fuel forecourts. The stores are located on the islands of Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney, generating sales of £124.5m over the last year. Morrisons has had a relationship with SandpiperCI since 2018, when the two companies signed a long-term franchise and wholesale supply agreement. Under the terms of the transaction, around 520 SandpiperCI store and operations staff will transfer to Morrisons. The business will be managed by Joseph Sutton, Morrisons Convenience, Online and Wholesale Director and his team, which includes Miles Foster, the Convenience Operations Director. “We have had a solid and successful supply and franchise partnership with SandpiperCI and we have a strong relationship with the business. I look forward to welcoming 520 more colleagues into the Morrisons family, together with 38 popular and well-located convenience stores,” said Rami Baitiéh, Chief Executive of Morrisons. “Our convenience business is now well set and growing rapidly. The addition of a further 38 stores will bring us another opportunity for growth and a strong position in the important Channel Islands’ convenience market.” Morrisons now has around 1,600 convenience stores, of which 600 are operated under franchise agreements. NamNews Implications: * Morrisons should benefit from six years close relationship with the 38 stores… * ..besides giving more intimate coverage of the Channel Islands convenience sector. * Also, despite debt issues… * …a strong ‘business as usual’ signal to rivals. #Morrisons #ChannelIslandsRetail

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Asda sales and profits increase as it continues focus on growth

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SKO season is finished and your new FY targets have been handed out! 😲 You've realised that there is no investment in product development and sales operations are reducing headcount. 😟 The sales teams in other regions are growing rapidly and their people are hitting presidents club but you've been told not to worry as you and your team are safe... Dont waste energy on worrying. Take a look at this video on finding your next sales role in the CX space. 🤗 https://lnkd.in/e9xhMyrs

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Do you stand by your prices? It doesn’t matter what industry you work in, there will always be someone who laughs at your prices. Whether they think you’re overcharging or not charging enough. But are you happy with your prices? I feel mine are fair, because I want to work with small independent businesses where I can make a real difference. And they can’t pay the same as the ‘big boys’. But when you work with the big companies, you can’t fully absorb yourself into the culture, and that’s what I love doing. It’s how I can recruit to the best of my abilities. So, I’m happy with my prices, even if they aren’t the ‘big boy’ prices. Are you happy with your pricing? And who do you prefer to work with? #Pricing #Recruitment #SmallBusinesses

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No wonder Asda are losing market share with in-store standards so low.... Whist much has been written on the latest loss of market share by Asda it is not surprising when you visit stores and find unworked pallets on the shop floor at 12.00pm. The OOS list make depressing reading! Interesting challenge for POP segmentation management at CPGs. Do you send more REX resources into Asda stores and effectively reward poor retailer performance or do you scale back REX resources depending upon the stock being available to merchandise? Optimal combination would be to track the change in in-store metrics via IR and correlate this via POS data analytics to understand the impact by store (personalization of AI) and amend the REX resources by individual store and deploy more flexible resourcing on demand. POP segmentation and Route to market driven by AI can help CPG teams address this challenge.... #imagerecognition #posdata #asda Roamler

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I’m regularly asked by Home and Garden suppliers and retailers, from the smallest to the largest - ‘Should we sell on marketplaces?’ When it was just Amazon eBay and ManoMano it was easy for companies to find excuses why not:- - We don’t really like drop shipping. - Selling on those platforms will cause pricing issues with our existing customers. - There’s no margin in it. - It’s a race to the bottom. - We simply don’t have the internal knowledge and expertise. - We don’t know where to start. Although my answer to the original question is always ‘Yes, you should begin selling on marketplaces and start today’, I was respectful of businesses that for whatever reason made the strategic decision to not sell on those channels. However, the arrival and success of The Range, B&Q Marketplace, Tesco and the planned launch of numerous others (watch this space) has really turned that strategy completely upside down. And as marketplace competitors start taking significant online share, many well known brands are struggling to come to terms with what to do next. In the last few days, the team at Rich Insight have written a piece on the key advantages and benefits of companies selling on retailers marketplaces like B&Q and it’s really, rather good. Read it here, only takes 4mins - https://lnkd.in/eagrsDBg And if you’re struggling with exactly what I have said above, DM me, let’s have a chat. #marketplaces #ecommerce #digital #homeimprovement

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@BeauGiambrone posted some stats around manufacturing and it’s impact on the UK economy. Not to be outdone, I’d like to raise the impact that #FMCG has on the economy!! → The FMCG sector employs over 400,000 people in the UK. ↳ That’s a significant portion of the workforce, driving economic stability and growth. Revenue generator → FMCG contributes a staggering £100bn to the UK economy annually. ↳ This underscores its role as a vital economic pillar. Export excellence → FMCG products account for nearly 10% of the UK’s total exports. ↳ This sector helps in balancing trade and strengthening the economy. Innovation hub → FMCG companies are at the forefront of innovation, investing heavily in R&D. ↳ This not only leads to better products but also spurs technological advancements. Consumer driven → FMCG is driven by consumer demand, influencing market trends and driving competition. ↳ This leads to better products and services for consumers. Why does this matter for Heads of Engineering in UK manufacturing? → The intersection of engineering and FMCG offers unique challenges and opportunities. ↳ From optimising production lines to ensuring sustainability, engineering plays a crucial role. #fmcg #UKBusiness #consumer

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What happened in retail this week? 👇 - Asda pushed its debt burdens into the next decade after refinancing more than £3.2bn of debt. - Lidl GB announced £500m investment in the British pork industry as part of its commitment to sourcing from British producers. - Morrisons completed the £2.5bn MFG petrol forecourts sale. - Sainsbury's underlying pre-tax profits for the financial year were up 1.6% to £701m ahead of company expectations and grocery sales soared 9.4% over the period. - Aldi UK revealed that between 8am-9am and 7pm-10pm are the quietest times for customers to pick up their shopping ahead of the bank holiday. - Pets at Home opened two more stores on London high streets as it branches out from its typical retail park sites. - Co-op furthered its 100% free-range offer by introducing a white egg range to 2,400 stores. - Aldi UK launched a nationwide initiative to pinpoint prime locations for new store openings and has asked Brits to identify which areas across the UK need a new Aldi store, with suggestions to be submitted by 31 May. - Farmfoods is targetting 20-30 new stores as annual turnover passes £1bn. — — — — — — — I post the biggest stories from the UK’s biggest retailers each week. Connect with me to never miss a weekly update. #Retail #News #May 

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This is a very insightful article from Grocer on what it may mean for the UK's export market. If you don't have access to the Grocer, please see below key points from the article. Tariff Policies and Trade Wars: Trump is expected to push for increased tariffs, particularly on Chinese goods, which may reach as high as 60%. This could lead to a trade war with China and the EU, impacting the UK due to its close economic ties with the US. Impact on UK Food and Drink Exports: The UK’s food and drink exports to the US, such as scotch, salmon, and cheese, are likely to face significant declines due to these tariffs. The fishing and alcohol industries, especially British alcohol exporters like Diageo, may suffer due to decreased demand. Domestic Benefits and Inflation Concerns: US-based whiskey makers and other domestic producers may benefit from Trump's protectionist stance, but higher prices in the UK for American imports and rising interest rates due to inflation are expected. Global Ripple Effects: A potential trade war could disrupt global supply chains, leading to higher shipping costs and lower agricultural prices in the US. Major supply chain shifts could destabilize trade flows and raise consumer prices globally. Impact on UK Economic Growth: Trump's policies could cut UK economic growth rates, with forecasts suggesting a 0.7 percentage point drop due to higher tariffs, inflation, and slower economic activity. Political Challenges and Free Trade: The UK government faces pressure to negotiate a free trade agreement with the US to minimize the damage from tariffs. Some progress has been made in negotiating with US states, but securing a full free trade deal remains uncertain. Currency Instability and Dollar Impact: There’s a likelihood of increased currency instability, with the dollar’s value playing a key role in affecting UK import and export prices. WTO and Dollar as Reserve Currency: Trump’s potential departure from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and his stance on the dollar as a reserve currency could create additional risks in global trade and finance. Political Influence and Strategy for the UK: The UK government may need to act quickly to engage with Trump's administration and leverage political influence to secure favourable trade terms. Trump's relationship with the UK and support from figures like Nigel Farage could benefit UK trade strategy.

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Revolutionising FMCG: Yorkshire's Masterclass 🏭✨ In the bustling heartland of Yorkshire, the FMCG sector is rewriting the script on efficient manufacturing. Here's a snapshot: 🛠️ Speed meets sustainability: Local manufacturers have harnessed cutting-edge tech to scale production, all while trimming carbon footprints down to a sleek minimum. Yorkshire is showcasing how lean manufacturing can be both swift and eco-conscious, setting a lofty standard for competitors everywhere. 💡 Innovation on tap: With a rich pool of talent and a culture that breathes creativity, Yorkshire stands as a beacon of innovation. From bespoke automation to AI-driven logistics, this region is not just keeping pace but is setting the pace, injecting forward-thinking concepts into traditional practices. 🤝 Community and collaboration: It's not all tech and targets; Yorkshire's manufacturing might is fuelled by a robust sense of community. Collaboration among businesses here is not the exception but the norm, fostering an environment where shared knowledge cultivates collective growth. As we witness Yorkshire's FMCG sector evolve, one thing is clear: The rules of the game are being rewritten right here, on our doorstep. This is where tradition meets tomorrow. #Manufacturing #Innovation #Yorkshire

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There are any number of reasons for failed purchase intentions: - Shopper's expectations of the c-store's range is not accurate (although shoppers tend to visit the c-store 2-3 times a week and very few shoppers are 'first timers'). - Ranges aren't reflecting shoppers' current needs (are some ranges still skewed by retailer purchasing habits during covid? Are category re-sets required? Price a barrier?) - SKU counts too big (The ACS Local Shop Report 2024 shows the average c-store sells well over 4,000 skus, in a store which is typically 1,000 sq feet). - Signage - Product placement - Availability - 'Gave up looking' We don't need to be critical of the situation - let's get excited by the unfulfilled opportunity....identify what's happening....and why....and change things around. Come join TWC Group on this exciting journey in 2025.

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Kingfisher plc have published their Q3 results for the period ending 31 October 2024. Here’s the key points:- - Group sales at £3.2bn, -1.1% on like for like basis, reflecting continued weak demand in UK and France. - UK & Ireland £1.6bn - growth driven by Screwfix +1.8% LFL and TradePoint UK +4.9% LFL. B&Q -0.6% LFL. - Core sales resilient, big ticket showing some signs of improvement and seasonal still impacted by poor weather. - In France total sales £967m, -4.3% LFL although showing improvement from Q2. Read all about it here on Insight DIY - https://lnkd.in/eEEKUWdP Worth noting that B&Q’s total ecommerce sales have increased +14.3% year on year, driving overall ecommerce penetration to 14.6% (12.9% Q3 ‘23). B&Q Marketplace GMV +45% and now 41% of total ecommerce. Outlook for Q4, more of the same. #retail #retailnews #commerce #ecommerce

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Lots of interesting content and commentary being shared following the publication this morning of Kingfisher plc Half Year Results for the six months ended 31 July 2024. Overall performance has been described by the business as 'In line with expectations', but below the surface there are some interesting facts:- - Total KF Sales £6.756m, -1.4% below last year (-2.4% like for like). - UK & Ireland -0.2%, despite the horrible garden season, so fairly resilient. - French performance and market still in a bad place -7.2% like for like decline. - Weak performance of Big Ticket - same message as Wickes last week. - Strong performance from TradePoint UK, with like for likes +7.1% and now 22% of overall B&Q Sales - 20% this time last year. - B&Q like for like Sales -1.0% and Screwfix Sales +1.2%. - Total Group e-commerce sales +8.4% driven by UK and Ireland. - E-commerce overall KF Group penetration now at 18.3%. - B&Q Marketplace now 41% of B&Q ecommerce sales in Q2. - As of 31 July, B&Q had a total of 309 stores in the UK & Ireland and Screwfix had 938. - Screwfix continues to plan for up to 40 new stores in the UK & Ireland in FY 24/25 Read more detail on Insight DIY here - https://lnkd.in/ey7NkhNQ Have fun flicking through the 47 page presentation below - you're very welcome! #results #retailnews #homeimprovement #retail #commerce

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**You must apply & have a ticket to pitch** 🚨SPILL THE BEANS VOL4 🚨 Want to get your products in front of Selfridges, ,Waitrose & Partners Ocado Retail etc? Spill the Beans, UK’s only event for Black/ethnic minority FMCG producers to get their products in front of supermarket buyers Mike Williams helped grow London's largest producer of handmade Jamaican patties supplying 20,000 patties weekly. FLAKE BAKE won Aldi's next big thing 2024, selling 100,000 patties in 10 days. Charmaine Trotman Free from Ocado Retail buyer,  on the free from department. over 10 + years buying experience with clothing, beauty and food. one of a few buying managers within the food industry from a minority background. Claire Roper is a seasoned food marketer with 20+ years in the industry, from ready meals to leading Glorious soup and Quorn. She excels in preparing brands for retail and foodservice. Patrick Wright, CEO LUMINA CONSULTANTS, 35+ years in brand design, packaging, marketing, and retail for food, beverage, and hospitality, Patrick helped build brands for giants like Sainsbury’s and M&S.. Reshma Sheikh, MSDUK,  Managing Director , champions supplier diversity and supports ethnic minority businesses in accessing corporate supply chains. Award-winning business leader recognised among the 'top 100 asian stars in uk tech,’ advocating for diversity and inclusion globally. Nisha Ramisetty , co-founder of Naksha , an award-winning recipe kit brand that helps people cook adventurous and diverse food at home through chef-designed recipes, Whole Foods Market Harrods, Selfridges, Waitrose & Partners, Spinneys Harvey Nichols, John Lewis & Partners, Adrian Boswell, a seasoned retail professional with 20+ years in premium food and hospitality, has driven success at a world-renowned department store. from fishmonger to senior buyer. Manon GALIZZI, MIFST, founder, EPICSI, 10+ years in the industry. Epicsi specialises in F&B product development, flavour expertise, and start-up support. Stefano Cuomo CEO. Macknade is the 6th generation of his family business at macknade. For 13 years, he has been leading this award-winning food & drink brand, taking it from a partnership to a limited company back in 2014. Grab your Early Bird tickets ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ekcQVfPe 🎥 Jeffrey Oyinlola, Toyin Said, Natalie Rogers, 🥘 Dawn Burton & Natasha Orumbie 📌P.S. Pitching applications open {Link in comments} **You must apply & have a ticket to pitch** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 👋I’m Colin,-the food scene’s Kanya King  a London-based food and drink Content Creator🧙‍ 📚Helping foodie brands promote themselves via storytelling. 🎤 Founder, Spill the Beans- UK’s only event series for Black/ethnic minority food producers 💻Connecting foodie brands with their target audiences via social media 🗣 Wanna chat? 📲Connect with me, and we can talk about your projects😁

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Don’t put all your eggs in one basket… You hear this a lot in business. Don’t have just one thing. Have things you can fall back on! Don’t just work with one big company. You need a healthy balance! Don’t have just one supplier. The list of advice that is linked to this saying is endless. But the one piece of advice I have always stuck to is to have a healthy balance of customers. Don’t rely heavily on one client. If anything happens to that one revenue stream, you’re in trouble. It is why none of our clients make up more than 15% of our revenue. It protects us. But is this something you do in your business? Do you ensure you have a healthy split in terms of clients and suppliers? Or, do you only work with a few? #Business #Protection #Recruitment

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Just 5 more Insight Traction Lions to reveal for 2024 and tensions are higher than for the Strictly Come Dancing Final. Who will make the final 5? If you want today's contender to make it, give it a "like". #insighttractionlions #shoppermarketing Benchmark Drinks