Nigel's BOGOF?
Given the inclement weather throughout the UK and Ireland, possibly causing many of you to be confined to home for the weekend, and realising that our normal Namnews fare may be insufficient to occupy you for the next two days, we offer you something slightly different, based upon our mutual interest in shops and shopping behaviour….
Welcome to the cautionary tale of BOGOF-Nigel, a gentle man who simply tried to play by the retail rules..
Have a slightly different weekend, from the Namnews Team!
Friday, 8 January 2010
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
New Groceries Supply Code Of Practice (GSCOP) due for implementation on 4th Feb 2010
Given that the New Ombudsman has yet to be appointed, and with a Government focused upon more important matters like getting re-elected, it means that suppliers will be on their own until after May 2010, minimum….
This means that suppliers are headed for some of the toughest negotiations ever on every aspect of the supplier-customer relationship.
Think about it: Even better, check out the original document on the CC website, factor in the lack-of-readiness on both sides, the usual emphasis on consumer-first, strongest players allowed to win, add a normal dose of cynicism, and capture the result in terms of negative impact on supplier profitability…
In other words, the major multiples have a window in which new ‘norms’ can be established, before a test-case sets realistic and more practical ground rules. This means that concessions on margins, credit periods, settlement discounts, rebates, promotional support, trade funding will be probably be re-negotiated to replace any retailer losses on payments no longer allowed ( such as shrinkage allowances, space-costs, retros, etc)
Add in the costs (and risks!) of putting everything in writing, together with the need for new retailer Code Compliance Officers to report regularly on retailer compliance with the GSCOP, and you begin to see the inevitability of a legally enforceable contract between suppliers and retailers. For guidelines on trade contracts, check with your colleagues in France handling the Carrefour Account.
All of this adds up to a need to quantify every aspect of the supplier-retailer business relationship, counting every penny before, rather than after the negotiation session.
See Namcalc for 34 different ways of calculating cost to you and value to the retailer
Drop me a note on bmoore@namnews to discuss implications for you
This means that suppliers are headed for some of the toughest negotiations ever on every aspect of the supplier-customer relationship.
Think about it: Even better, check out the original document on the CC website, factor in the lack-of-readiness on both sides, the usual emphasis on consumer-first, strongest players allowed to win, add a normal dose of cynicism, and capture the result in terms of negative impact on supplier profitability…
In other words, the major multiples have a window in which new ‘norms’ can be established, before a test-case sets realistic and more practical ground rules. This means that concessions on margins, credit periods, settlement discounts, rebates, promotional support, trade funding will be probably be re-negotiated to replace any retailer losses on payments no longer allowed ( such as shrinkage allowances, space-costs, retros, etc)
Add in the costs (and risks!) of putting everything in writing, together with the need for new retailer Code Compliance Officers to report regularly on retailer compliance with the GSCOP, and you begin to see the inevitability of a legally enforceable contract between suppliers and retailers. For guidelines on trade contracts, check with your colleagues in France handling the Carrefour Account.
All of this adds up to a need to quantify every aspect of the supplier-retailer business relationship, counting every penny before, rather than after the negotiation session.
See Namcalc for 34 different ways of calculating cost to you and value to the retailer
Drop me a note on bmoore@namnews to discuss implications for you
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Some Christmas KPIs?
A man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad
attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's'
mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried
to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words,
playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the
bird's vocabulary
Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled
back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder.
John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in
the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and
screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for
over a minute.
Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the
freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and
said "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and
actions.
I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully
intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable
behavior."
John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about
to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the
bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"
Have a terrific Christmas from the Namnews Team!
attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's'
mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried
to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words,
playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the
bird's vocabulary
Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled
back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder.
John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in
the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and
screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for
over a minute.
Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the
freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and
said "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and
actions.
I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully
intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable
behavior."
John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about
to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the
bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"
Have a terrific Christmas from the Namnews Team!
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Optimised Duty Free at Heathrow?
Attempting to check in at one of the world's most crowded/high-profile airports, how bizarre that having had shoes, belt, jacket, laptop, watch, aerosols, sharp instruments and all liquids removed and x-rayed, been virtually 'strip-searched' via a full body-scan sensitive enough to detect metal teeth-fillings, the passengers are then encouraged to buy (at a discount!) a couple of litres of highly inflammable liquid in glass (not plastic!) bottles, to be hand-stored for easy access under the seat in front, or in the overhead locker ("where they can possibly fall out and injure someone") and are then presented with a pair of flight-socks fine enough to fit through the neck of each bottle, allowing the passenger to spend the remainder of the flight, under cover of semi-darkness, quietly assembling and even deploying a couple of DIY Molotov cocktails…
(Alternatively, why not simply be issued with a receipt in Duty Free, for collection of purchases on arrival at the destination?)
Have a safe journey…..!
(Alternatively, why not simply be issued with a receipt in Duty Free, for collection of purchases on arrival at the destination?)
Have a safe journey…..!
Monday, 14 December 2009
Asda Buying or Selling signal?
An article in Saturday's Times repeats details of joint product sourcing with parent Walmart…
However, remembering that Walmart have recently restructured Adsa's financial status, could be coupled with fact that the final paragraph of the Times article announces that Asda is now removing the reference to Walmart on its facia, perhaps leaving room to place a 'For Sale' sign…?
Watch this space….
However, remembering that Walmart have recently restructured Adsa's financial status, could be coupled with fact that the final paragraph of the Times article announces that Asda is now removing the reference to Walmart on its facia, perhaps leaving room to place a 'For Sale' sign…?
Watch this space….
Tesco Cinemas?
A North London Cinema conversion to a Tesco store
Using this as a creative springboard, how about if Tesco opened a chain of cinemas (say upstairs in existing stores) as a stand-alone business unit, a place for shoppers' families to spend an hour while the serious shopping is undertaken by the decision-maker?
Could also serve as an entertainment hub, an additional revenue stream?
Every little helps!
Using this as a creative springboard, how about if Tesco opened a chain of cinemas (say upstairs in existing stores) as a stand-alone business unit, a place for shoppers' families to spend an hour while the serious shopping is undertaken by the decision-maker?
Could also serve as an entertainment hub, an additional revenue stream?
Every little helps!
Friday, 11 December 2009
Looking for a way of adding ooomph! to your latest customer strategy?
Reports that scientists at Stanford University in California have successfully turned paper coated with ink made of silver and carbon nanomaterials into a "paper battery" that holds promise for new types of lightweight, high-performance energy storage, may possibly help you make your reports electrifying….
Ironically, ordinary paper could one day be used as a lightweight battery to power the devices that are now enabling the printed word to be eclipsed by e-mail, e-books and online news. This type of battery could be useful in powering electric or hybrid vehicles, would make electronics lighter weight and longer lasting, and might even lead someday to paper electronics, the scientists said. Battery weight and life have been an obstacle to commercial viability of electric-powered cars and trucks.
A supercharged weekend from the NamNews Team!
Ironically, ordinary paper could one day be used as a lightweight battery to power the devices that are now enabling the printed word to be eclipsed by e-mail, e-books and online news. This type of battery could be useful in powering electric or hybrid vehicles, would make electronics lighter weight and longer lasting, and might even lead someday to paper electronics, the scientists said. Battery weight and life have been an obstacle to commercial viability of electric-powered cars and trucks.
A supercharged weekend from the NamNews Team!
Thursday, 10 December 2009
"People want that ease of purchase."
Immediacy is what the business is all about. "Nowadays people want to get everything done as soon as possible."
"Take the other day: we had this guy from Tennessee that wanted to buy some Irish crystal. He told us how he looked up the site, rang us, paid for the present and ordered it to be sent gift-wrapped all over his iPhone while walking down the street. People want that ease of purchase."
Reported in the Cork Examiner, in the past 10 months Liz and Jim O’Flynn, from Cork, have set up claddaghlane.com , a one-stop-shop gift site for people wishing to buy top Irish and international brands, including Waterford Crystal, Belleek and Border Fine Arts. It is a truly global venture and the O’Flynns plan to have the site translated into French, German, Italian and Russian, providing quality brands at lesser cost.
"We have prices negotiated with the various brands. We then operate at tight margins by selling them as competitively as we can and offering free shipping. We can afford to do this as we don’t hold stock. Your order comes to us and immediately our computer system sends an order to the brand. They supply to order and are paid immediately and so neither of us deal with credit. We have no debtors. We all get paid immediately. This is how the next generation of business will be done. No business can afford to keep inventories any more."
A way forward for brands seeking an alternative, cost-effective route to consumer?
"Take the other day: we had this guy from Tennessee that wanted to buy some Irish crystal. He told us how he looked up the site, rang us, paid for the present and ordered it to be sent gift-wrapped all over his iPhone while walking down the street. People want that ease of purchase."
Reported in the Cork Examiner, in the past 10 months Liz and Jim O’Flynn, from Cork, have set up claddaghlane.com , a one-stop-shop gift site for people wishing to buy top Irish and international brands, including Waterford Crystal, Belleek and Border Fine Arts. It is a truly global venture and the O’Flynns plan to have the site translated into French, German, Italian and Russian, providing quality brands at lesser cost.
"We have prices negotiated with the various brands. We then operate at tight margins by selling them as competitively as we can and offering free shipping. We can afford to do this as we don’t hold stock. Your order comes to us and immediately our computer system sends an order to the brand. They supply to order and are paid immediately and so neither of us deal with credit. We have no debtors. We all get paid immediately. This is how the next generation of business will be done. No business can afford to keep inventories any more."
A way forward for brands seeking an alternative, cost-effective route to consumer?
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