News & Insights

Chilled sector starting to stabilise whilst Ambient still seeing greater volatility

By Jonathan Kittow on 03/05/20 11:13 in COVID-19

Thank you for the continued support this week and welcome PepsiCo, LRS and Oatly to the group. Chilled suppliers reported that they are seeing some demand stabilisation on the key volume lines, although volumes are still higher than previous....

Suppliers donating to NHS charities to keep spirits up during Covid-19

By Jonathan Kittow on 30/04/20 16:18 in COVID-19

We are all aware of the intensely critical role our NHS and frontline workers are playing during this period of uncertainty and at this week’s virtual meeting, one supplier reported on how they are trying to help support our care workers to help...

Wellbeing as important as physical logistic efficiencies for suppliers

By Jonathan Kittow on 26/04/20 17:19 in COVID-19, Customer Demand

A further 10 suppliers joined our regular contributors this week where our discussions embraced the issues surrounding employee wellbeing as well as the usual supply and demand challenges.

How are grocery suppliers faring as consumers settle into a ‘new normal’?

By Jonathan Kittow on 17/04/20 18:50 in COVID-19, Customer Demand

With panic buying over and availability much improved, the grocery sector is starting to settle into a ‘new normal’ with social distancing smoothing shopping patterns through the day and week, and promoting top-up rather than big trolley shops.

Suppliers collaborating to ensure best practice during Covid-19

By Jonathan Kittow on 08/04/20 16:38 in COVID-19, Customer Demand

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic Simply Supply Chain have organised virtual weekly supplier meetings to enable fellow Chilled and Ambient suppliers to share their challenges, frustrations, opportunities and successes with like-minded peers, to...

Retailers working together to save smaller suppliers and manage demand

By Jonathan Kittow on 26/03/20 17:12 in COVID-19, Customer Demand

Cash is king, especially for small suppliers during this current coronavirus crisis. Retailers are swimming in cash as a result of the massive increase in sales due to the outbreak. Fueled by panic-buying, and with the £3bn rate holiday to come,...

Supplier group offered unique opportunity to test newly developed OTIF reporting App

By Jonathan Kittow on 20/02/20 14:49 in Customer Supply Group, Logistics

With plenty to build upon from last year, February’s Customer Supply Group meeting got off to a positive start with both old and new members fully engaged with key projects running for 2020. Thank you to @molsoncoors for hosting our first meeting...

How should FMCG suppliers respond to Brexit now?

By Jonathan Kittow on 20/10/19 20:44 in Brexit

Has anything changed a result of Super-Saturday?

Parliament has voted to postpone the meaningful vote, but not delayed the Brexit clock. The PM has been obliged to request an extension, but the EU are unlikely to postpone the deadline unless there...

Brexit - why now is a good time to review your transport costs

By Jonathan Kittow on 10/10/19 12:05 in Logistics, Brexit

85% of vehicles bringing imported goods into the UK are foreign…30% of those return to the EU empty. If export delays occur hauliers will potentially be less keen to take on those routes or will demand higher prices to compensate for any delays....

Are Suppliers ready for a No Deal Brexit? They are now.

By Jonathan Kittow on 30/09/19 10:33 in Brexit

*Due to the success of our Brexit Workshop last week we are running a repeat session on Thursday 24th October*

For those that were unable to make the first session, we hope you can join us. Places are very limited so please sign up to avoid...