Rob Thomas

𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 😬😕 Guinness supplies are being rationed over Christmas and New Year as huge demand threatens to outstrip supply. Pub bosses are understood to have been told they face limits on how many kegs of Guinness they will receive in the run-up to Christmas. The rationing comes as Diageo, the company that makes the stout, seeks to ensure there is enough Guinness to supply pubs across the festive season. Restrictions are in place to avoid shortages over the crucial final weeks through to Christmas and New Year, reports The Telegraph. Diageo is understood to have stressed that it needs to manage supply after weeks where surging sales have strained supplies. A spokesman for Diageo said: “Over the past month, we have seen exceptional consumer demand for Guinness in Great Britain. We have maximised supply, and we are working proactively with our customers to manage the distribution to trade as efficiently as possible.” Guinness sales were around 19% higher in the four weeks through to early November than they were last year, according to figures from industry group CGA. The recent spike in sales is believed to have been driven by the recent autumn rugby internationals matches as well as the cold spell of weather. However, it is part of a broader trend that has seen Guinness grow in popularity over the past year. Debra Crew, the chief executive of Diageo, has attributed part of the surge in demand to an increase in younger women buying the drink. She said Guinness was no longer viewed as a drink for only the “rugby lads”, with figures such as Kim Kardashian and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, boosting its popularity. Ms Crew suggested the lower calorie nature of the drink had also helped drive sales higher – a pint of Guinness contains around 210 calories. The launch of the non-alcoholic version has also broadened its appeal. A Diageo executive said in August that sales of Guinness 0.0 were soaring and predicted that alcohol-free Guinness could one day be more popular than its traditional counterpart. The Devonshire pub in London’s Soho became the first in the UK to serve Guinness 0.0 on draft in August. Owner Oisin Rogers previously said he was told by Diageo that his pub has the biggest Guinness account in the world and that it has a daily delivery to keep up with demand.

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Have you read our case study on Sainsbury’s digital transformation in employee relations? As one of the UK’s top retailers, Sainsbury’s has achieved impressive results. Using empower®, a digital guide that enhances managerial skills, Sainsbury’s has made it easier for line managers to handle low-risk conduct issues anytime. Self-service features have made managing employee relations simpler and faster, allowing HR to focus on complex cases and strategic tasks. This has reduced case durations, improved efficiency, and enhanced manager-employee relationships and overall employee experiences. Interested in how they did it? Read the full story here: https://hubs.la/Q02LGZvn0. #CaseStudy #SuccessStory #EmployeeRelations #HR #Transformation

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Keep your eyes on Tesco Marketplace Those of us who have been around a while will remember Tesco Direct, the catalogue based non-food business that Tesco launched in 2006. That business was closed in 2018, killed off by competition from Amazon (and others) who could offer a broader range, cheaper prices, free delivery and without having huge amounts of capital tied up in stock sat across various stores and warehouses. This week though, more than 10,000 products have gone live on the new Tesco Marketplace. What makes this different? The listed products are sold by 3rd parties. For a while Tesco Direct was a good concept, rivalling Argos and effectively killing off Index. By pivoting the proposition to a 3rd party marketplace Tesco effectively capitalise on their huge online traffic while removing the fundamental weaknesses of their previous catalogue business, namely breadth of range and capital tied up in stock. Following the successes of marketplace offerings from Amazon, Walmart, Carrefour, Decathlon, B&Q, BestBuy, Kroger and Macy’s it really is no surprise that Tesco’s have launched their own. The fact that they are later to the game than others is irrelevant. Their website traffic is so significant that adoption will soon be comparable and then exceeding much longer established platforms. The range is limited for now, but I doubt their is anyone who doesn’t expect it to grow, and quickly. Launch categories include Garden&DIY, Home and Kitchenware, Toys, Furniture, Sport & Leisure and Baby & Toddler. I would expect that clothing, small electrical and gifting will be added shortly, and some broader food categories within the next year-eighteen months. What’s worth keeping an eye on though are the Spirits and Pet categories. These are product categories that are easily transferable into store. In the past products from new and niche suppliers would have been trialed in a limited number of physical stores, with distribution increased should sales warrant it. Now, I believe, new products from these categories will be trialled 3rd party via the Marketplace, with products that sell well then being selected to be distributed instore. With greater access to pricing, promotions, media, sponsored search and a level playing field in terms of search & content optimisation, I wonder how long it will be before some of the best selling 3rd party products find their way onto the physical shelf? With space on the physical shelf limited, another product will have to be delisted to make way. That makes me wonder how long it will be before some ‘established’ brands start to disappear from our physical shelves? Time to watch Tesco #digitalcommerce #ecommerce #marketplaces #cpg #cpgindustry #fmcg #fmcgindustry #digital #foodanddrink #drink https://lnkd.in/ec-EQS-x

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Last week I completed my provisional period as a Stock Controller at Wild Water Cardiff! It’s been an incredible journey so far. Turns out, counting pallets is more intense than it sounds!😅 From managing stock for multiple customers to chasing down those elusive missing pallets, it's been a wild ride. Looking forward to keeping things on track and maybe finding those last few pallets hiding somewhere!" #Stock #inventory #supplychain

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Molson Coors to Invest £100m in UK Brewery and Beverage Network Molson Coors Beverage Company has unveiled ambitious plans to inject over £100 million into its UK brewery and beverage infrastructure over the next five years. This significant investment aims to enhance capabilities, increase efficiencies and support the company's growth in the UK market. Fraser Thomson, Chief Supply Chain Officer for Western Europe at Molson Coors, emphasised the strategic nature of this investment, by stating that: “This plan is an investment in our future, giving our people and brands the tools to fulfil our potential in the UK market while making strong progress against our sustainability targets". Key components of this investment include upgrading brewing capacity and packaging capabilities at Molson Coors' major UK facilities, notably the breweries in Burton-on-Trent and Tadcaster. The Burton brewery will benefit from a new 24-tonne high-speed can filler, capable of filling an impressive 120,000 cans per hour. Moreover, the packaging keg lines at Tadcaster and Aspall Cyder House will also undergo enhancements. Molson Coors is also directing resources towards Sharp's Brewery in Cornwall, supporting new and existing ale brands such as Doom Bar, Solar Wave Hazy and Twin Coast. This builds on previous investments, including a recent £13 million expansion at the Aspall Cyder House and a £21 million investment in a new canning line in Burton. Molson Coors' focus on upgrading its facilities reflects its commitment to meeting market demands and advancing sustainability goals. Furthermore, the company's growth in the UK market is highlighted by the success of its brands, particularly Madrí Excepcional. Thomson described Madrí Excepcional as “the country’s fastest-growing major beer brand in both volume and value sales” in late 2023, reinforcing the need for expanded brewing and packaging capacity. In sum, this substantial investment by Molson Coors is not only about modernising its infrastructure but also about empowering its workforce and ensuring environmental responsibility. Thomson added: “This is a landmark moment in our history as we evolve to meet the demands of our growing portfolio and bring new innovations in the years ahead, while continuing to reduce the impact our business has on the environment”.

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The HEINEKEN Company's decision to clear a 300-acre orchard in Monmouthshire… Has sparked concern about the future of cider production and its impact on the environment. Strongbow and Bulmers owner Heineken claims to have followed regulations… And emphasises its commitment to responsible and sustainable actions🌏 → Selling the orchard fits with what's happening more broadly in the UK cider industry. Where people have been drinking less cider over the last ten years. Heineken explains that they had too many apples and the orchard was only good for making cider. So they decided to use the land for different crops instead. What are your thoughts on these decisions? Will the decrease in cider consumption continue? https://lnkd.in/gQ7HY5yp

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So here goes my first post (and I really hope this topic hasn’t been covered yet) I’d really like to know opinions on incentives from a production/manufacturing perspective. I know commission is usually part and parcel of being in a sales type role (usually basic salary isn’t as great)but manufacturing is a bit different In my last 2 roles I’ve seen up to 18% throughput (volume) improvement when incentives were offered and up to 28% when the incentive was floating I.e the higher the volume, the higher the incentive (provided quality product made) In fact, during peak production, you could remove the managers, the employees started driving the targets themselves because of the said incentive This is brilliant- but I do wonder-why is it that we work at 80 % capacity when we’ve agreed to give our all when we’re hired Why do we need extra to do our work? This accusation is usually pointed at shop floor employees yet I can’t help but notice the same trend for managers…….if company performance isn’t going as well I can’t help but notice even senior people hold back knowing there’s probably no incentive bonus at the end of the year… Would love a behavioural psychologists’ view as well, haven’t been able to find anything from what I’ve read thus far

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📃McCain Foods reported pre #tax profits of £77.5 million 📈Molson Coors GBS plans to invest over £100 million to boost its #UK production... ... and consumer behaviour continues to evolve: 🐮 42% have bought a #plantbased alternative to milk, and 39% have tried a meat substitute in the past 6 months 🥂The rise of #NoLo (Non and Low) alcoholic #beverages. Consumers are increasingly interested in options that offer the taste and experience of alcoholic drinks without the high alcohol content. Our team are Consumer industry experts, if you're interested in staying up to date with the latest #FMCG trends be sure to connect with Sagar Bhardwaj & Rahim Ali Ahmad. You can explore our Insights 👇 Read Here - https://lnkd.in/d8BpvrzE #Consumergoods #FMCG #Industryinsights #Recruitment

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Tesco, Aldi and Morrisons face boycott over controversial ingredient in major dairy brand ! The Bovaer® additive/drug has ignited a massive consumer response, exemplified by the growing call to boycott our local Coles Australia, among other global supermarkets Aldi, Tesco, and Arla Products over the use of this feed additive/drug in their meat & dairy products" Bovaer® is a revolutionary feed additive/drug designed to reduce methane emissions from livestock, particularly cattle. By incorporating it into animal feed, methane emissions can be reduced by up to 30%, positioning it as a valuable tool in the fight against agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, its rollout has raised concerns among various groups, including consumers, animal rights advocates, and proponents of natural farming" ! detailed comments via/by AJ Smith ! 🤔👏🧩🔬🔍🕵 https://lnkd.in/g8Wqwiqt? #Global #FoodStandards #FoodStock #Drug #Additatives #Bovaer #Methane #Emissions #NZ #Comminication #Transparency #Certification

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Morrisons Develops App So Wholesale And Franchise Partners Can Top Up In Its Supermarkets Morrisons is to allow its wholesale and franchise partners to top up on food and drink lines in its supermarkets at prices based on agreed terms. According to trade magazine The Grocer, a newly developed app allows retailers within the Morrisons supply network to scan the items they need in stores using their smartphones. Once they have completed their shop, they check out with a duty manager. However, rather than buying at normal in-store prices, the wholesale customer is invoiced on their existing agreed terms, with an electronic delivery note sent to their store EPoS systems and email. Morrisons wholesale division currently stocks a range of over 9,000 products for delivery, supplying more than 1,600 stores across five countries. The top-up solution is seen as an extra tool for its customers, who will continue to be serviced by the existing delivered model. NamNews Implications: * Morrisons have, in effect, increased their wholesale/franchise distribution points… * …to include all of their retail branches as a top-up facility. * Neat! * And probably makes them the best UK wholesaler in terms of coverage… #Wholesale #CashnCarry #Morrisons

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I tell you something that pisses me off..... The movement guarantee racket. That's what. Moving duty suspended goods between the UK and other countries is made SO much more difficult, particularly for smaller producers and importers, by our beloved HMRC. Not only is it a practically impossible task to secure one (or even find out HOW to secure one!), but it can be eye wateringly expensive too. I've heard tales of £20k + investments for something which the treasury say that shipments MUST have. But what does this 'guarantee' actually guarantee? Well....not much really. It only covers your goods from your property to the UK port of exit - and then only if stolen or destroyed. So if Dick Turpin turns up on the M1 to steal a pallet of DIPA's, then you're covered. If they're stolen/destroyed in Europe or beyond then that's a whole other thing. Effectively it's expensive insurance on top of insurance. The knock on effect of NOT having one is that importers get held to ransom by transport companies who can charge arbitrary fees for using their movement guarantee numbers. This, in turn, ends up ruling out some amazing breweries within certain price brackets even though the importer would love to have them. (I don't know how many times I've heard 'If they don't have a movement guarantee I can't take it.') Don't even get me started on the government EMCS portal and how complicated that makes life. At a time when many drinks companies, large and small, are struggling to stay afloat surely there's got to be an easier way? Red tape rant over...... #craftbeer #export

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*****SCAMMERS***** Anyone that knows me is probably asking themselves 'why has Noel been absent on LinkedIn for so long, ref posts' Well I have been in the meat and poultry industry for 54 years (yes I am old!) but I have never known a period such as we are in now where 99% of enquiries or offers are from someone whose intention is purely to steal your money/personal identity/company identity. I am totally fed up and sick of this, they even talk to you on the phone and shout and scream at you when you question their motives (probably doesn't help when I can't stop laughing at them) but at the end of the day so much time is wasted as you have to do your DD (due diligence) to see if they are legitimate or not, NOT being the optimal word. I/we are genuine suppliers of a large number of diverse commodities so if you ARE GENUINE and require foodstuffs such as sugar, meat, poultry, wheat, corn, fuels etc I would be happy to talk to you. Contact me on WhatsApp for a GENUINE discussion. +66935159180 SCAMMERS PLEASE CONTACT SOMEONE ELSE!!!!!!

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Splitting the £50m 'G' Investment... As a huge Guinness fan (and apart from my beloved CHANCE Clean Cider, it’s my favourite non-alcoholic brand), I’ve been closely following my old employer's Diageo recent moves this year. So far, they’ve invested a massive £50m into sponsoring the Premier League, launched their 00 liquid with a lot of fanfare, and even started testing draft systems in select London venues. It's clear that they’re serious about making waves in the non-alcoholic space. But this is a real game-changer... their £50m investment into 00 production at St. James’s Gate – that's a big statement. It's some serious craic! I've heard some whispers that where both 00 and full-strength options are available, the sales split is nearly 50/50 of sales! 😧 My gut feeling is that as consumers increasingly elongate their drinking sessions or mix and match between 00 and full-strength options, Guinness can be a perfect pint to support these trends. I think huge win for the category and really speaks to the shift in consumer behaviour, It’s only a great thing for the industry. 📈 I can’t help but wonder how long it’ll take before we start seeing those iconic Guinness tap lenses, with a touch of that signature blue 00, popping up across the country! Have you split a 00 G yet? #chancecider #lowandno #lowandnocider #drinksindustry  #nonalc #npd #ontrade #founder #investment #startup  #insight #consumer #customer #npdlaunch #culture #tradeevent #tradeshow #00 #guinness #diageo #guinness00 #non&lowshow #support #weeklyreview #grateful

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Asda's fuel has become the priciest among supermarket groups - after years of being among the cheapest - despite its pledge to offer the best value, research suggests. According to the RAC, average petrol and diesel prices were higher at Asda at the end of May than at Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s. Asda disputed the findings, saying they covered its whole estate, including convenience shops, and that it still had the best prices at supermarket forecourts. Global fuel prices are falling, but the RAC said supermarket chains were not passing the savings on to customers. The RAC analyed data submitted by the biggest supermarkets to the Competition and Markets Authority and found that Asda was selling petrol at 146.34p per litre and diesel at 151.71p. By contrast Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsburys were charging 144.45p and 149.61p per litre - some 1.9p and 2.1p less. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said it was the first time since the motoring group began tracking supermarket fuel prices that Asda had come out as priciest. He added that the chain had for years been the market leader on fuel prices, encouraging its rivals to drop their prices after it did, but that it had now lost its “crown”. Read more ➡️ https://buff.ly/3Vv0EIQ The Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network is here to support your business - reach out to share your views, concerns and opportunities. #SCCnews #businesssupport #businessnetwork #businessvoice #businessleader Sign up for the Scottish Chambers of Commerce enewsletter at https://buff.ly/3CpsQnu

Uni doesn't = success 🎓 At 16, I joined the family business while I was doing my GCSE's. It was a lot to juggle both - studying in the evenings and working at the weekends. It wasn’t the usual or expected route for a 16-year-old, and some people judged me. All my friends were thinking about uni, but I knew that I just wanted to work. Fast forward a few years and I wouldn't change a thing. Being a young entrepreneur has taught me that: → Business teaches you real life lessons that books and exams never will → Entrepreneurship and taking risks allows you to own your career → Mistakes are ok. Each one is a lesson in resilience and problem-solving Entrepreneurship has its ups and downs, but it's so rewarding and I would tell my younger self that age (young or old) shouldn't hold you back. Sometimes it's only when you take that leap that you realise what you're capable of💪🏾 Below see our first week at Wingers me and Amran Sunner pushing out orders as fast as we could 😅 #Entrepreneurship #YoungEntrepreneur #TakeRisks

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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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I am noticing a lot of non-GS1 compliant images emerging on Tesco marketplace. This example is not best practice and let me explain why... The word "chicken" off pack fails contrast and the weight statement 350g also fails, (I mean who can read 350g off the pack?? - TRY ON YOUR MOBILE!) So sadly this image despite all the effort in breaking rules isnt legible or mobile ready. I honestly doubt the Mars Petcare team would have allowed this, so it must be a third party listing it perhaps? #UX #ACCESSIBILTY #mobileready #ShopperExperience #Content

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