Friday 6 August 2021

Two Wrongs won't make it a Right Question, from the NamNews Team!

 (Best focus on how to rebuild a business from Lockdown?) 

Asda’s CEO Steps Down Earlier Than Expected

Trevor Strain, Morrisons’ Chief Operating Officer, Steve Murrells, the boss of the Co-op, Jason Tarry, CEO of Tesco UK & Ireland, Stuart Machin, head of Food at M&S, Ronny Gottschlich, a former boss of Lidl, and Anthony Hemmerdinger, Asda’s COO, have been named by industry watchers as potential candidates to take over from Burnley.

NamNews Implications:
  • With six potential candidates, NAMs will need further clarity…
  • …in order to muse re impact of a replacement on Asda policy.
  • Meanwhile, anticipate more influence from the owners…

#Succession #AsdaFuture


Wednesday 4 August 2021

The Hut Group Makes Another Acquisition

E-commerce giant The Hut Group (THG) has continued its acquisition spree by buying online retailer Cult Beauty for £275m.

Launched in 2008, London-headquartered Cult Beauty sells around 300 brands across skincare, haircare and cosmetics, including Charlotte Tilbury, Drunk Elephant, and Huda Beauty.

NamNews Implications:
  • In the infinite space of online…
  • …this is a no-brainer addition to THG will add scale benefits inc cost efficiencies, minimum.
  • And at growth rates of 38% and 41%…
  • …you have to have a good reason for not being on board.
OnlineCosmetics #beauty #skincare

Tuesday 3 August 2021

Doritos Unveils Latest On-Pack Promotion

PepsiCo’s Doritos brand is launching a new on-pack promotion that offers shoppers the chance to win a grand prize of £20,000. There is also an additional opportunity for consumers to win £200 every day.

NamNews Implications:
  • A versatile brand…
  • …combined with creative consumer engagement…
  • …and potential financial reward.
  • A no-brainer…

#ConsumerEngagement #Promotions

PepsiCo Selling Juice Brands To Private Equity Firm

PepsiCo has entered into an agreement with PAI Partners (PAI) to sell a 61% majority stake at $3.3bn in its Tropicana, Naked and other select juice brands across North America, and an irrevocable option for certain juice businesses in Europe.

NamNews Implications:

  • Rivals should anticipate two changes resulting from this move…
    • A different focus on the selling of the juice brands to release potential
    • A more intensive focus on PepsiCo’s current portfolio of diverse offerings
  • Including growing their portfolio of healthier snacks, zero-calorie beverages, and products like SodaStream.
  • Watch these places…

Wednesday 28 July 2021

‘Perfect Storm’ Gripping Food Sector With Shortages Now Inevitable, Says 2 Sisters Founder

The founder of one of Britain’s biggest food producers has claimed that supermarket shelves in the UK will be bare and panic buying will intensify unless critical issues currently threatening food supplies are solved promptly.

NamNews Implications:
  • ‘Perfect storm’ of causes will have a ‘perfect storm’ of effects:
    • Labour shortages = increased labour costs
    • Ingredients shortages = increased costs
    • Energy demands = increased costs
    • Bureaucracy increases = increased costs
    • Stockpiling increases = increased costs
  • Do you really think all will be contained within official ‘inflationary adjustments.
  • i.e. Budget for more than a 5% shelf-price increase, at least...   
  • Your category, your call…

Supermarkets Benefit From Weather, Sport, And Staycations But Headwinds On The Horizon

Over the four weeks ending 17 July, total till sales edged down only 1.3% versus the same bumper period in 2020 when demand was being boosted by the effects of the pandemic. This was an improvement on the 2.4% fall in June and 2.7% decline in May when hospitality venues first reopened.

NamNews Implications:
  • As always, the key is to compare your sales by sector and category.
  • Meanwhile, in terms of potential headwinds (increased hospitality diluting retail, emergence of the super-savvy consumer reining spend)
  • It may be worth factoring in a hefty dose of inflation…