The threat of Amazon
Sir: Amazon’s bold move into online grocery in the UK could have significant repercussions for traditional supermarkets, as online retailing represents one of their only opportunities for growth. Amazon will no doubt have the clout to build up a sizeable customer base for online grocery. It is a world leader in analytics and using data to maximise sales and provide a personalised service.
Julian Ward, partner, Hamlins LLP
The power of posh
Sir: Premium ranges provide a glimmer of hope for established retailers facing the arrival of Amazon Fresh. A recent report by Kantar Worldpanel demonstrates the growing success of premium own label. However, it is also about having the right premium brands that can draw in high-spending shoppers. Providing affordable luxuries that customers want to see in supermarkets can have a sales impact reaching far beyond a product’s individual sales. That’s probably why the right standout premium brands are so popular with private equity investors.
George Moss, head of consumer, ECI Partners
Push on against waste
Sir: It’s great to see The Grocer challenging food waste in the retail industry - a cause close to ReFood’s heart. Food takes so much resource, labour and energy in its production, manufacture and transportation that squandering such a resource should be criminal. The financial and environmental benefits of sustainable use of food waste are massive. Everyone in the industry has a part to play. We hope The Grocer’s Waste Not Want Not campaign galvanises more in the industry to action.
Philip Simpson, Commercial director, ReFood UK
No excuse for waste
Sir: Given the environmental harm of greenhouse gases, it’s patently wrong that millions of tonnes of waste food are ending up in landfill or being incinerated. Olleco sponsored an REA report that concluded that the conventional wisdom, that segregating waste was always more expensive for business and local authorities, no longer held true. We should all be separating food waste away from other waste streams. The least we should be doing is converting it into a much needed renewable energy and soil fertiliser.
Duncan McLaren, national accounts director, Olleco
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